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Friends of

Local charities join forces for children’s cancer ward Christmas party

Friends of Rosie has joined forces with three other Manchester children’s cancer charities to create a special Christmas party for children currently undergoing cancer treatment on Ward 86, the oncology ward at The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The Friends of Rosie Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Milly’s Smiles, Holly’s Hearts, and The Joshua Tree Foundation have all come together to jointly host this special event. Each charity exists solely to support children with cancer and together they wanted to do something special for the children and their families.

The invitation-only event is taking place in Manchester this Saturday 9 December. It is exclusively for the children, their siblings, and parents, to give them all a much-needed break from the hospital environment and enjoy a bit of festive cheer at a very difficult time in all their lives.

The party is entirely free of charge for those invited and has been funded thanks to kind donations and support from many businesses and individuals across Greater Manchester.

From a magic show and festive party games to a special Santa’s Grotto and Christmas crafts, there will be plenty to help the children and their families to relax, have fun and make memories. It’s also an invaluable opportunity for siblings to spend some much-needed quality time together doing something fun as a family.

Says Friends of Rosie Parent Trustee, Joanne Crosby, “As a parent who has spent Christmas on the ward with my daughter, Ruth Grace, I understand the desperate need for a change of scenery and the desire to give your child and their siblings a bit of normality and Christmas magic.

“We’ve been blown away by the kindness of so many companies and supporters across Manchester who have helped to make this party a reality. From catering companies and the Royal Northern College of Music to Martin’s Bakery and many, many corporate donors.

“A special mention is needed for Bruntwood SciTech who have gone above and beyond by donating the venue space, staff volunteers and car parking and have helped to make this event possible. This really is a joint effort for the children and we’re sure they’ll have a fantastic day thanks to the kindness of others.”

Notes about the charities

Friends of Rosie Children’s Cancer Research Fund

When five-year-old Rosie Larkin lost her battle against cancer in 1991, her family and friends were determined to carry on the fight to help other children affected by cancer. They set up Friends of Rosie, an independent charity based in Manchester dedicated to raising money for pump-priming research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood cancer.

Milly’s Smiles

Milly’s Smiles was started following the loss of 11-year-old Milly who passed away from leukaemia in September 2015. Milly’s Smiles provide a welcome bag, known as a Milly Bag, to each newly diagnosed family admitted onto Ward 84, at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Ward 3B at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Ward L31 at Leeds Children’s Hospital and Ward E39 at Nottingham University Hospital.

The Milly Bags contain items that will help during the first few days, and weeks, of their hospital stay. www.millyssmiles.org

Holly’s Hearts

Holly’s Hearts was set up by the family of Holly Prince who passed away in 2022 from a Wilms Tumour which is a rare kidney cancer. To honour Holly, Holly’s Hearts create heartwarming memories for children with cancer. Their main aim is to give children gifts, experiences, and respite to put a smile on their faces and create memories that they will treasure forever. Holly’s Hearts Facebook

The Joshua Tree Foundation

The Joshua Tree was founded in 2006 by Lynda and David Hill after their son was diagnosed with leukaemia. They discovered a distinct lack of support services for all family members during the traumatic experience of childhood cancer. It’s their mission that every family affected by childhood cancer gets the support they need. www.thejoshuatree.org.uk

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Helen Griffin
Communications Manager
07887 932293

Children’s Cancer Research Fund,
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© 2025 Children’s Cancer Research Fund | Charity No. 1046278 | Website by ATTAIN.

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.