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Friends of

Tag: North West children’s charity

Easter egg raffle fundraiser

Easter egg fundraising for childhood cancer research

North West charity, Friends of Rosie, signed up supporters across Greater Manchester and Cheshire to take part in their annual Easter egg raffle fundraiser. The huge handcrafted eggs provided by master chocolatier, Slattery.   With the help of local and national businesses, schools and community groups, we raised almost £3,500 this Easter. The money will […]

Our Research Projects

research grant call

It is our primary aim to fund the most promising new childhood cancer research ideas in the North West. As a result of our funding researchers are able to obtain preliminary results to back up their ideas, which they can then use to secure large-scale funding from the big cancer research charities and pharmaceutical companies. […]

£66,500 grant for immunotherapy study

Immunotherapy

We’re delighted to report encouraging results from our research project investigating the use of immunotherapy to treat childhood brain tumours that are resistant to conventional treatment methods. Results obtained so far and the great potential of this project have now led to a further £66,500 being granted by Friends of Rosie to continue this research […]

Grant to research osteosarcoma in children

Scientific Advisory Board

We’re very proud to announce a further grant award of £65,000 to fund a second year of research into the treatment and improved detection of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer in children. Osteosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that usually develops in growing bones. It’s therefore most common in children and adolescents. Sadly […]

Richard’s Prudential Ride 100

Prudential Ride 100

A few weeks ago, on one of the only wet and windy days we saw during July, Richard Woodhall set out on the Prudential Ride 100 London to Surrey in support of Friends of Rosie. Now in its sixth year, the Ride 100 attracted thousands of cyclists to the roads of London and Surrey and 22,142 […]

The amazing faces of Ward 84

Ward 84 summer party

Sunday 22 July was a day full of fun, memories, celebration and, for some, a few hours of light relief from the hospital, at the annual Ward 84 summer party. Held at the impressive Victoria Baths in Manchester, the party is organised by a dedicated team of volunteer parents, family members and carers via the […]

Festival raises thousands for childhood brain tumour research

JoshFest Rochdale

We felt privileged today to meet Nicola, Sarah and six-month old Zack at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre to accept an amazing cheque donation from their recent fundraising festival. Dr Gray Kueberuwa, our funded researcher, was also kind enough to give Nicola and Sarah a tour of the laboratory. He told them a bit more […]

Altrincham Concert Orchestra – summer of music event

Altrincham Concert Orchestra

Head along to this year’s Altrincham Concert Orchestra summer of music event and support children’s cancer research. With fabulous music, amazing raffle prizes and delicious refreshments, it’s sure to be a wonderful event. See the poster below for details. A huge thank you to the Orchestra for once again choosing to support Friends of Rosie. […]

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Helen Griffin
Communications Manager
07887 932293

Children’s Cancer Research Fund,
c/o Slater Heelis,
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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.

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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.