Alex’s Wish
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Alex's Wish funds Duchenne work only, from research and clinical trials to care, access and quality-of-life technology, so a request fits best if it is about Duchenne itself.
- The annual report gives no grant range, so the charity's total paid out (£232,989, per the annual report) is the only guide to scale, and a modest, clearly costed request is the sensible starting point.
- No application process is published; the stated route is for scientists to take research ideas to Duchenne UK, and the Scientific Advisory Board then tests and refines them.
- Any proposal should show it avoids duplicating existing research and has a clear path to delivery, since these are the success factors the charity names.
- Nothing published says how competitive funding is, when decisions are made or whether relationships matter, so check these directly before investing time in a bid.
Overview
Alex’s Wish is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1148845).
Alex's Wish exists to end Duchenne for this generation, and it supports scientific research into the improved diagnosis, prevention or treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Its work runs across the treatment journey, from medical research and clinical trials to clinical care, access and technology intended to improve quality of life. It has raised £2.9m to date and paid £232,989 in grants in its most recent annual report.
What they fund
Priority Areas
Alex’s Wish funds work across the Duchenne treatment journey, from medical research and clinical trials to clinical care, access and technology intended to improve quality of life. Its stated areas include gene therapy and gene editing, stem-cell therapy, heart research and early detection, steroid optimisation and alternatives, the DMD Care and DMD Hub programmes, and improving access to clinical trials. The charity aims to halt and reverse muscle wasting and make treatment and care accessible to boys across the UK, wherever they live, while supporting the best science worldwide. Every project is reviewed by an independent Scientific Advisory Board of leading global experts in Duchenne. The charity says it avoids duplication of existing research, expects each project to have a clear path to delivery, and works with Duchenne UK to maximise impact and accelerate progress.
Themes
- Gene therapy
- Stem cell therapy
- Heart research
- Steroid optimisation and alternatives
- Clinical trials
- Clinical care and access
- Quality-of-life technology
Geographic Focus
Priority: The UK; worldwide.
How to apply
Scientists approach Duchenne UK with ideas for new research projects. The Scientific Advisory Board tests and, where necessary, refines them.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- An independent Scientific Advisory Board of leading global Duchenne experts reviews every project.
- Projects should avoid duplicating existing research and have a clear path to delivery.
- The charity seeks the best science worldwide.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- United Kingdom
- International
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to Alex’s Wish.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 30 June 2021 | £154,148 | £122,645 | — | Accounts for year to 30 June 2021 |
| year to 30 June 2022 | £225,880 | £223,967 | — | Accounts for year to 30 June 2022 |
| year to 30 June 2023 | £344,578 | £433,762 | — | Accounts for year to 30 June 2023 |
| year to 30 June 2024 | £287,081 | £268,141 | — | Accounts for year to 30 June 2024 |
| year to 30 June 2025 | £368,599 | £362,438 | £232,989 | Accounts for year to 30 June 2025 |
- Grants paid, year to 30 June 2025: grants paid out in the year.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- alexswish.co.uk
- alexswish.co.uk/our-impact · read on 31 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 30 June 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 31 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to Alex’s Wish?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- alexswish.co.uk
- Charity Commission register entryContact details as held by the Charity Commission
Applying to Alex’s Wish?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- alexswish.co.uk
- Charity Commission register entryContact details as held by the Charity Commission