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Friends of

Welcome to our new Trustees

In recognition of Trustees’ Week this week, we’re excited to welcome not one but two new Trustees to Friends of Rosie.

Welcome Lesley

Lesley Dowdall
Lesley Dowdall

Firstly, we welcome Lesley Dowdall. Lesley has over 20 years’ experience in fundraising and donor relations. She is Director of Development at Withington Girls’ School and previously served as Deputy Director of Development at the University of Manchester. There, she was responsible for all aspects of fundraising. This included the regular giving programme through to the transformational gift strategy. She helped ensure all donors were recognised and stewarded in the best and most meaningful way possible. Lesley also serves as a Governor at her local state primary school.

Says Lesley, “I am excited to be joining Friends of Rosie. It is a small but mighty charity that has an incredible impact on research into childhood cancers. Having worked in higher education, I fully understand the crucial need for innovative and far-sighted funders to pump-prime early-stage research. Without it, promising avenues of progress would be left unexplored. If my children were suffering, I would want no stone unturned.”

Welcome Mahesh

We also welcome Mahesh Vara to our Board of Trustees. Mahesh is a graduate of Durham University and a solicitor at DWF Law LLP. He specialises in Banking Litigation and Regulation, advising major banks, private lenders and companies. Mahesh is our youngest trustee and, further to his professional skills, provides an invaluable perspective in the treatment and diagnosis of cancer in children and young adults. He was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma when he was 8 years old and later at the age of 21. Mahesh remains a Young Ambassador for Friends of Rosie and has also campaigned for various cancer charities.

"<yoastmarkSays Mahesh, “It is a real privilege to become a Trustee of Friends of Rosie. As a former patient, I have seen little real advancement in the treatments and diagnosis of cancer in children and young adults. Especially in contrast to the advancements made in treatments and diagnosis for other cancers, like prostate cancer or lung cancer. Meanwhile, children’s cancer treatment remains incredibly harsh. Those lucky enough to survive, like myself, often also pay a heavy price as they learn to adapt to long-lasting and life-changing side effects.

“I am absolutely clear in my mind that there are great strides to make in cancer treatment for children and young adults. I cannot wait to get started with Friends of Rosie as we make those strides!”

Volunteer-led charities, like Friends of Rosie, simply couldn’t do what we do without the commitment and dedication of our Trustees. Mahesh and Lesley join the UK’s one million trustees supporting charities across the country. Trustees’ Week is a celebration of all those who volunteer their time, effort and skills to positively impact the work of charities.

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Helen Griffin
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07887 932293

Children’s Cancer Research Fund,
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Nancy Dykes

Nancy Dykes

Nancy, 11, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma when she was just 2 years old. She was treated with Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) in Germany but unfortunately relapsed less than a year later. The family were then sent to Germany for a second round of PBT. Although treatment helped to cure Nancy’s cancer, she has been left with lots of lasting effects which will require ongoing treatment throughout her life. Here Nancy and her mum, Antonia, share their story in the hope it will help others, raise awareness, and raise more money for children’s cancer research.

Watch Story
Prof John Hickman

Prof John Hickman

Why I am a Trustee of CCRF
 
I am a relative of the Larkin family and knew Rosie Larkin ( Friends of Rosie, now CCRF) when she had and then died of neuroblastoma, aged six. At that time, I was a scientist and professor at Manchester University, actively working on the problem of why some cancers do not die despite intensive and toxic therapies.  Seeing Rosie during her unsuccessful therapy and then attending her funeral, besides being emotional, drove me to double down on my own research as well as to support the Charity as best I could as a cancer researcher. I spent over a decade as the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the CCRF, when the Board moulded policies to ensure that funds raised for research into childhood cancers were distributed only to clinicians and researchers who had the brightest ideas that could impact of cancer medicine for children.
 
My role on the Board
 
As a Trustee,  I hope that my many decades of experience in cancer research and medicine can help the CCRF determine where best the funds that are raised can be invested in cutting edge research and medicine. I am also keen that the CCRF brings together UK and international experts in science and cancer medicine to brainstorm on how best to advance the treatment of childhood cancers.
 
My Background
 
I was a Professor of Pharmacology at Manchester University, working on drug resistance in cancer. I then moved to Paris, where I still live, to head cancer drug discovery at a French pharmaceutical company (Servier). I then headed an EU consortium for six years that brought together researchers from the pharmaceutical industry, universities and biotechnology companies, from all over Europe and the UK, to improve cancer drug discovery. I continue to be active in cancer health policy, publishing in the medical literature.
Katrina

Katrina London

Why I am a Trustee of CCRF

I have spent my professional career representing individuals and families affected by the devastating asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, which has no cure and for which there are only a limited number of palliative treatments available on the NHS.

I joined CCRF because I wanted to bring my understanding of the need to raise awareness of less well known cancers and passion for the need to secure improved funding for research to children facing a cancer diagnosis.

My role on the Board

I am responsible for oversight of our collaboration agreements with other charities to co-fund research into cures and treatments for childhood cancers. I also manage our challenge events and help with community fundraising. 

My Background

I am a Senior Associate at Irwin Mitchell LLP and specialise in Asbestos Disease Litigation, acting on behalf of victims of asbestos related diseases and their families.  Over the years, I have undertaken a number of fundraising challenges to raise money for cancer research, including a 1000 mile cycle ride from Glasgow to Southampton.   

Carla

Carla Nuttall

Why I’m a Trustee of CCRF
 
I became a trustee of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund because I believe every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and with everything to look forward to in life. Like many people, I’ve seen the impact cancer can have on families and I wanted to do something that could make a real difference. This started through my work as an ambassador for Cyclists Fighting Cancer, which supported young people and their families in finding strength, confidence, and joy through movement.
 
That experience shaped my understanding of the challenges families face and the importance of community-led support – but crucially, the clear need for that to go hand-in-hand with targeted research and long-term solutions.
 
This is why I’m so passionate about the work CCRF does and proud to contribute to a cause that gives children and their families, the greatest chance of living a life without limits.
 
My Role on the Board
 
I support CCRF’s mission by bringing my experience in brand, marketing, and communications to the board. My focus is on helping CCRF tell its story in a way that resonates with people – whether that’s families, researchers, donors, or the wider public. I work alongside an incredible team to strengthen CCRF’s voice, build trust, and grow awareness so that more children and families can benefit from the breakthroughs we’re helping to fund.
 
My Background
 
I’m the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing for The Growth Company, a social enterprise dedicated to helping people, businesses, and places to thrive through its market-leading insight, employment, skills and business support.
My passion is to help the organisations I work with to communicate with clarity, purpose, and integrity. That’s why I’ve spent my career in strategic communications supporting organisations that want to make a positive difference – CCRF could not fit my sense of purpose any better.