Penguins Against Cancer

Charity Number: 1159905

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £144,000 (2023-24)
  • Total Distributed: £565,000+ since 2013
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 30 days after decision made
  • Grant Range: £4,000 - £10,000 (named research awards)
  • Geographic Focus: UK (primarily)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.penguinsagainstcancer.org.uk
  • Email: penguinsagainstcancer@outlook.com
  • Phone: 07468 565450
  • Fundraising Contact: David Gush (penguinsagainstcancer@outlook.com)
  • Charity Number: 1159905

Overview

Penguins Against Cancer was founded on 6 November 2013 by members of Guy's Hospital Penguins, the oldest team in the oldest rugby club in the world. Since inception, the charity has raised and distributed over £565,000 in grants to support cancer awareness, cancer research, cancer treatment, and hospices. The charity operates with a unique model: it has no start-up or running costs, ensuring every penny donated goes directly to fighting cancer. All 12 trustees serve voluntarily without remuneration, and the charity is supported by 25 volunteers. In the 2023-24 financial year, the charity had an income of £147,236 and expenditure of £144,000. The organization has expanded beyond its Guy's Hospital rugby origins to include members from diverse ages, backgrounds, and professions, all united in supporting cancer-related causes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Named Research Awards:

  • The Fergus Scholefield Paediatric Cancer Research Award: £5,000 annually supporting research into paediatric cancers. Named in honour of Fergus Scholefield, son of Barney and Lou, who died of a brain tumour before his third birthday. Also commemorated by the annual GHRFC Fergus Cup rugby match.
  • The Chris Howell Urological Cancer Research Award: £10,000 annually (£5,000 from PAC + £5,000 from The Urology Foundation) supporting research into urological cancers. Named after Chris Howell, an Oral Surgeon who qualified at Guy's Hospital, played rugby for Guy's Hospital RFC for over 50 seasons, was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2015, and following successful treatment has remained in remission. Chris was a founder Trustee of Penguins Against Cancer. Applications made via The Urology Foundation.
  • The Ruth Prosser Women's Cancer Research Award: £5,000 annually supporting research into women's cancers.
  • The Simon Lau Memorial Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund: Supports pancreatic cancer research.
  • The Simon Bunting Colorectal Cancer Research Award: In collaboration with Red Trouser Day, supports colorectal cancer research.
  • TUF and PAC Smaller Projects Cancer Research Initiative: Up to £4,000 for audit or quality improvement projects for urological cancers (partnership with The Urology Foundation).

Application Method: Formal applications via approved online process on charity website (rolling basis for most awards).

Priority Areas

Penguins Against Cancer makes grants across three main areas:

  1. Cancer Research: Academic and clinical research projects, particularly through named research awards
  2. Cancer Treatment: Organizations providing cancer treatment services
  3. Hospice Care: Hospices supporting cancer patients

Past Recipients Include: Bowel Cancer UK, Guy's Cancer Charity, Princess Alice Hospice, Pancreatic Cancer UK, St Luke's Hospice, Lymphoma Action, The Urology Foundation, Institute of Cancer Research, University of Dundee, Action Bladder Cancer, Macmillan Cancer Support, St Christopher's Hospice, Target Ovarian Cancer, Breast Cancer Now, Neuroendocrine Cancer, Birmingham Hospice, Velindre Cancer Centre, Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, OddBalls Foundation, Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, and Fortuneswell Cancer Trust.

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but the charity's focus is exclusively on cancer-related causes. Based on their charitable objects, they do not fund:

  • Non-cancer related health conditions
  • Non-UK organizations (generally)
  • Individual treatment costs (grants go to organizations, not individuals)
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Governance and Leadership

Structure: 12 Trustees, all unpaid volunteers, supported by 25 volunteers.

Key Personnel:

  • David Gush: Contact for fundraising issues
  • Chris Howell: Founder Trustee, Oral Surgeon, Guy's Hospital graduate, played rugby for Guy's Hospital RFC for over 50 seasons
  • Barney Scholefield: Fundraiser and organizer, father of Fergus Scholefield

Ethos: “PAC has no start-up or running costs: every penny donated goes to the fight against cancer.” This commitment to zero administrative costs is central to the charity's identity and appeal. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Connection to Guy's Hospital: The charity maintains strong ties with Guy's Hospital Rugby Football Club through annual events including the Freshers vs Penguins match, the Penguins Against Cancer Ball, and fundraising activities like the Penguin Peloton (a sponsored cycle ride from Guy's Hospital Tower to Blackpool Tower that raised over £60,000 in 2024).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications vary depending on the grant type:

For Named Research Awards (Fergus Scholefield, Ruth Prosser, etc.):

  • Formal applications must be submitted via the approved application process accessible on the charity website at www.penguinsagainstcancer.org.uk/research
  • The PAC Research Committee (PACRC) only considers applications submitted through this formal process
  • Applications are assessed against established criteria

For The Chris Howell Urological Cancer Research Award:

  • Applications are made via The Urology Foundation website
  • The Urology Foundation then forwards applications to the PAC Research Committee for review

For General Grants (treatment and hospice support):

  • Support is provided to individuals and organizations nominated by PAC members
  • Many grants are made to causes nominated by members who have had loved ones affected by cancer
  • Over 140 grant letters are accessible on the charity website, demonstrating the breadth of their funding

Decision Timeline

  • The PACRC will notify successful applicants within 30 days of a decision being made
  • Awards are made to applicants who receive the most votes from the committee
  • Research awards are typically annual cycles

Post-Award Requirements

Award recipients are required to:

  • Keep the PACRC informed of progress in their research
  • Acknowledge PAC's contribution in related publications, presentations, and posters

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. However, with £144,000 distributed annually across multiple research awards and institutional grants, competition is likely significant.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Given the annual nature of named research awards, it appears unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent cycles.

Application Success Factors

For Research Awards:

  • Clear cancer focus: All projects must relate to cancer diagnosis, treatment pathways, or quality improvement
  • Acknowledgment commitment: Willingness to acknowledge PAC in all related outputs (publications, presentations, posters)
  • Progress reporting: Ability to keep PACRC informed throughout the research process
  • Alignment with named awards: For specific awards, ensure your research aligns with the cancer type (paediatric, urological, women's, pancreatic, or colorectal)

For Treatment and Hospice Grants:

  • Member nomination: Grants are typically made to organizations nominated by PAC members
  • Personal connection: Many grants go to causes where members have experienced the impact of cancer firsthand
  • Cancer-specific mission: Organizations must be clearly focused on cancer treatment or end-of-life care for cancer patients

Organizational Factors:

  • PAC values efficiency and impact—their own model of zero administrative costs suggests they appreciate organizations that maximize the impact of funding
  • The charity's Guy's Hospital rugby heritage and emphasis on community fundraising events suggests they value grassroots, community-driven initiatives
  • Given that 100% of donations go to cancer-fighting activities, applicants should demonstrate how funding will directly impact cancer patients, research, or care

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Zero overhead model: Penguins Against Cancer operates with no administrative costs—100% of donations go to cancer causes, which may influence their expectations of applicant organizations
  • Named awards are specific: If applying for Fergus Scholefield, Chris Howell, Ruth Prosser, Simon Lau, or Simon Bunting awards, ensure your research precisely matches the cancer type specified
  • Quick decisions: 30-day notification after decisions are made is relatively fast for research funding
  • Member-driven for general grants: Treatment and hospice grants are typically member-nominated rather than open application, so building awareness with PAC members may be beneficial
  • Acknowledgment is non-negotiable: Research award recipients must acknowledge PAC in all related outputs—this is a key requirement
  • Strong track record: With £565,000+ distributed since 2013 and over 140 grant letters available, PAC is an established funder with a proven commitment to diverse cancer causes
  • Partnership approach: The collaboration with The Urology Foundation for the Chris Howell Award shows openness to working with other organizations to amplify impact

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