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Friends of

Tag: childrens cancer research

Our Young Ambassador on BBC News

Young Ambassador

Our Young Ambassador, Ruth Grace, recently appeared on BBC North West Tonight. Her appearance coincided with her return to school after almost four years in treatment. You can watch the programme here. Ruth Grace, from Manchester, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, when she was eight years old. She had a horrific […]

Jude’s Story

Jude Anderton

Jude Anderton was 11 years old when he was diagnosed with bone cancer. He went from a happy, highly active boy to being desperately ill in such a short space of time. His mum, Helen, shares his story to help raise awareness for childhood bone cancer and the vital need for more research: “I remember […]

Scientists discover way to stop spread of devastating bone cancer in children

Research, co-funded by Friends of Rosie, could save more lives and lead to kinder treatments for children with bone cancer. Researchers at The University of Manchester and the University of East Anglia and have made what may be the most significant step forward for children with one of the most common childhood cancers in 40 […]

eBay’s Big Charity Sell

eBay's Big Charity Sell

Declutter, donate, and nominate a friend a do the same via eBay’s Big Charity Sell. We are calling for our supporters to sell your unwanted items on eBay and donate up to 100% of the proceeds to Friends of Rosie, helping to raise vital funds for children with cancer, as well as reducing waste. Charities […]

Oscar and George’s 2.6 challenge

twopointsixchallenge

Oscar, aged 8, and George, aged 6, spent last week completing their 2.6 challenge for Friends of Rosie, raising £604 with gift aid. They asked family and friends to set them a series of challenges to do with the numbers 2.6 or 26. The challenges ranged from 26 press-ups and star jumps, to reading 26 […]

Elizabeth’s cold shower challenge

lockdown fundraising

A massive well done to eight year old, Elizabeth, who has raised £350 with her cold shower challenge for children’s cancer research. Fantastic effort Elizabeth and a huge thank you to everyone who donated. We’re facing tough times ahead as a charity and you’ve helped ensure children with cancer aren’t forgotten. If Elizabeth has inspired […]

Feel good festive fundraising

festive fundraising

There are lots of ways you can support Friends of Rosie with festive fundraising this season. And, as a volunteer-led charity, you can be sure that a donation to Friends of Rosie will go where it’s needed, funding vital childhood cancer research. Just contact us at info@childrenscancerresearchfund.co.uk to let us know about your festive fundraising […]

One month, run everyday = five marathons!

Run everyday challenge

Our very own communications manager, Helen Griffin, set herself a very stretching target in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. To run everyday during September totalling 211km – the equivalent of five marathons! As if that wasn’t enough, she also did a Sober September, to further help raise awareness and funds for children’s cancer research. […]

Gatley Memory Walk for #CCAM

memory walk

In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the End of Treatment Bells and the local community in Gatley village held a Memory Walk. The walk raised over £1,000, with £500 being donated to Friends of Rosie to support new childhood cancer research projects. The walk took place on Friday 13 September, setting off from Gatley […]

Charity afternoon tea for childhood cancer

fundraising afternoon tea

In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Ann Elviss hosted a charity afternoon tea party to fundraise for research. The event, held at the end of September with family and friends, raised almost £500. Money which will go towards Friends of Rosie’s newest research projects later this year. Our thanks go to Ann and everyone […]

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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.

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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.