Friends of Rosie is a volunteer-led charity that provides funding for children’s cancer research to get new ideas off the ground. Without our help many research projects would never get underway, meaning critical breakthroughs in childhood cancer research being left undiscovered.
When five year old Rosie Larkin lost her battle with cancer in 1991, her friends and family were determined to carry on the fight. They set up the Friends of Rosie Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
So far, we have funded a total of 25 research projects at a cost of £2.75 million. They cover a wide variety of childhood cancers from neuroblastoma and leukaemia, to osteosarcoma and brain tumours. The research ideas we fund are right at the outset of medical thinking and innovation. We give these ideas the chance to make a difference.
Many childhood cancers still have a poor outlook and today’s treatments are harsh, unpleasant and uncertain, especially on young bodies that are still growing.
Support us today and be the difference for children with cancer tomorrow.
We want to ensure that every penny donated to us is spent in the most effective way to benefit childhood cancer research. And we do that by:
Being volunteer-led, meaning no costly CEO salaries absorbing part of your donation. All our amazing Trustees are volunteers and support Friends of Rosie because they truly believe that research is the key to curing childhood cancer.
Keeping our overheads to an absolute minimum with only one part time member of staff and donated office space. Because of this we can guarantee that almost every penny donated will go directly on funding research.
Operating a unique and independent project review process, involving national and international oncology experts. They provide us with impartial recommendations of the projects they deem as potentially game changing for childhood cancer. And they are all volunteers too.
Katie Cutler is an experienced accounting professional with a career spanning over 14 years in the public and commercial sectors. She started work at KPMG in Manchester, qualifying as a CIPFA accountant in 2006. She then joined the Internal Audit team for the Co-op Group. Katie has been on a career break since early 2016 when her youngest child, Arthur, received a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Katie is passionate about raising awareness of childhood cancer and fighting for kinder and more effective treatments. In her free time, Katie loves reading and visiting the Lake District with her family and dog.
Helen Griffin, Communications Manager
Helen is the sole employee of Friends of Rosie working on a part-time basis to help raise awareness, fundraise, administer and promote the vital research work that the charity supports. Helen's background is in corporate and employee communications and she is passionate about promoting the need for more dedicated childhood cancer research. She is mum to two boys who keep her busy the rest of the time!
Jennifer Atherton BA
Jennifer’s background is in Human Resources. She has most recently been a member of the Patient Liaison Group at the Royal College of Surgeons. She represents the public on the ICBSE (Examinations) committees and is a lay examiner in communication skills for the MRCS exam, both nationally and internationally. Jennifer is a founding member of Friends of Rosie and has actively supported both the Fundraising Committee and the Trustee Committee.
Maureen Bennett
Maureen started work as a state registered nurse and midwife, looking after special care babies at Saint Mary’s Manchester and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. After a break to have her own children, she moved into business and finance, spending 15 years as a finance director. Maureen then became co-founder and finance director of Kids Allowed, now the leading childcare provider in the North West.
Felicity Goodey CBE DL
Felicity is a former BBC journalist, presenter and businesswoman who developed a passion for regeneration. She led the teams which built the Lowry theatre complex in Salford and the winning bid to move a large part of the BBC out of London, creating Mediacity, also in Salford. Felicity was awarded a CBE for services to the arts and regeneration, and she formerly chaired University Hospital South Manchester.
Jill Hulme BA MCIPR FRSA
Jill has worked in the communications field since 1989, providing marketing and public relations advice to public and private sector organisations. After working in senior agency roles and as UK head of communications for Deloitte, she established her own independent consultancy in 2005. Her clients include an NHS Trust and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, and Jill enjoys helping medical researchers and clinical staff to communicate effectively with patients and the wider public.
Anne Irwin LL.B
Anne has been a property lawyer for over 30 years, initially with Cottrills, and now as a consultant to Slater Heelis LLP following the merger of the two firms.
Lisa Larkin
Lisa Larkin is the mother of Rosie who died of neuroblastoma in 1991, when Friends of Rosie was founded. She became a trustee to represent families and the children. In 1995 she became North West Woman of Achievement. She has worked overseas and retired a few years ago from being a director of an industrial construction company. She has two older children and enjoys being a grandma.
Joe Swift FCA, FCCA, ATII, TEP, Dip PFS
Joe is a former partner with accountancy firm Deloitte where he led their North West tax practice for many years, advising companies and individuals. Joe is a trustee of several prominent trusts, including a number of charitable trusts, and lectures regularly on tax planning issues.
Research
Treatment for children with cancer is very intensive, at a time when their young bodies are still growing. That’s why we are 100% committed to funding new and innovative research focused on improving the treatment, diagnosis and prognosis of childhood cancer.
Children’s cancer research receives less funding than any other type of cancer. That’s why we focus on kick-starting new ideas to change the outlook for children with cancer.
We support the principle of using animals in research when it is necessary to advance understanding of health and disease and to develop new treatments. This research only takes place where there is no alternative available. Friends of Rosie supports the Association of Medical Research Charities’ position on the use of animals in research as outlined in this statement.
Our Research Strategy
Learn about our research strategy and research prioritites for the current year.
We have been advised by our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to fund a second year of research for both our current projects:
Immunotherapy to treat childhood brain tumours
Treatment and improved detection of osteosarcoma
Any further call for funding applications during 2018 will be announced later in 2018. The register your interest, please fill in the form below.
Download Funding Application Pack
Our grant application process is now open. Complete the details below to download the grant application pack. The deadline for submissions is 6th January 2020.
Fundraising
Be the difference for children with cancer
For over 25 years, we’ve funded exciting and promising new children’s cancer research ideas thanks to our unique and independent project review process, involving national and international oncology experts. Together, we can give all children with cancer a brighter future. Become a Friend of Rosie and help us.
There are loads of ways you can get involved and join the fight for children with cancer.
Together, we can give all children with cancer a brighter future. Become a Friend of Rosie and help us. Fill in your details below to download a fundraising pack to help with your event.
Share your child's story and become a friend of Rosie
“Arthur is now 2 years in remission and is a robust and active little boy. He is due to start preschool this Autumn and he is so excited to join his elder sister at school and wear a big boy uniform! “
If you have a question, some feedback or just want to make a donation, then please use the contact form below - we'd really love to hear from you!
Helen Griffin
Communications Manager
07887 932293
Anne Irwin
Trustee and Secretary
0161 834 7333
If you are caring for a child with cancer, you can get information and advice from Macmillan Cancer Support by visiting their website or calling them on
