Twitter Linkedin Facebook Instagram
Get in Touch
icom_donate

Donate Today
icon_get_involved

Get Involved
icon_friend

Friends of

Tag: North West children’s cancer charity

Outcomes of our international childhood cancer workshop

international childhood cancer workshop

Friends of Rosie brought together 40 of the world’s top researchers and clinicians from across the UK, Europe and North America. Together they discussed how better to target treatments for children with cancer. The international childhood cancer workshop was held in Manchester on the 8th and 9th of June 2022. It came less than two […]

Friends of Rosie to host international childhood cancer workshop

childhood cancer workshop

We are proud to tell you about our upcoming international childhood cancer research workshop. This important workshop will bring together 40 of the world’s top researchers and clinicians to discuss how better to target treatments for children with cancer. Childhood cancer is the biggest killer of children under 14 in the western world, yet it […]

Easter egg fundraising 2022

Easter egg winners

Wow, what an Easter of fundraising! Our huge thanks to everyone who hosted a Friends of Rosie Easter egg raffle this year for our Easter fundraising. Together you raised an eggcellent £3,500! This is an amazing effort, especially given that many people are currently also fundraising to support the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis. Thank you also […]

Reducing the risk of facial asymmetry after radiotherapy

facial asymmetry

In 2020, we kickstarted new research looking into ways to decrease the risk of facial asymmetry in children with cancers in the head and neck. Your donations make this research happen. So, to keep you updated on how your donations are being used, we recently caught up with the project team at The University of Manchester […]

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 […]

Check out our new research section

research grant call

Being clear and transparent about how we spend money donated to Friends of Rosie is core to how we operate. That’s why we’ve created a brand new research section on our website. Our aim is to fund the most promising new childhood cancer research ideas. Our mission is for the projects we fund to secure […]

Amelia’s communion fundraiser

Amelia Greig

Eight year old, Amelia Stimpson, and her family and friends are fundraising for childhood cancer research at Amelia’s upcoming holy communion. Following the communion, Amelia’s family and friends are hosting a fundraising party in memory of five year old, Gracie McCall. Gracie lost her battle with a rare brain tumour two years ago. Gracie and […]

Friends of Rosie Research Strategy

parent trustee

Our research strategy – why we fund research into childhood cancer Our aims, objectives and priorities Friends of Rosie’s research strategy aims focus on providing “pump-priming” funds of one or two years to research and clinical investigators who are addressing paediatric cancers. The goal is to provide funds that will lever major longer-term funding from […]

Hundreds raised thanks to Altrincham FC

Altrincham FC

Huge thanks to Altrincham FC and all your supporters and away fans for donating a total of £334.24 during the home game on Saturday 19th January. Congratulations also on your 1-0 win against Southport. We were made to feel very welcome by the club and supporters and are very grateful for the opportunity to be […]

Charity Christmas cards – order now!

Charity Christmas cards

This year, we have once again partnered with Charity Cards  for our charity Christmas cards. Although it’s only just October, thoughts are already turning to Christmas shopping! To make your Christmas planning a little easier and to give to charity at the same time, you can choose from a great selection of cards. With different […]

Donate Today
Friends of Rosie

Useful Links

Legal

Contact Us

Helen Griffin
Communications Manager
07887 932293

Children’s Cancer Research Fund,
c/o Slater Heelis,
86 Deansgate,
Manchester M3 2ER

Twitter Linkedin Facebook Instagram Youtube

© 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.