The Cridlan Ross Smith Charitable Trust 2004

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£258,240 (2024 expenditure)
• Grant Range: Varies (bursaries, fellowships, research salary support)
• Geographic Focus: England (primarily Royal Marsden Hospital, London)
• Focus Area: Breast cancer education and research
• Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

• Address: 8 Shepherd Close, Long Itchington, Southam CV47 9RE
• Phone: 01926 711392
• Website: None
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Cridlan Ross Smith Charitable Trust 2004 was established by a Declaration of Trust dated 18 October 2005 and registered with the Charity Commission (charity number 1112652). The Trust is dedicated to advancing breast cancer education, research, and public awareness, with a particular focus on supporting work at the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research.

In the financial year ending 5 April 2024, the Trust reported total income of £22,537 and total expenditure of £258,240. The Trust operates throughout England and makes grants to both individuals and organisations. The significant difference between income and expenditure suggests the Trust is drawing on accumulated assets to fund its grant-making activities.

The Trust is named in honour of Mary Cridlan and supports an annual lecture in her name, bringing eminent breast cancer researchers to speak at the Royal Marsden Hospital. The Trust's work focuses on removing financial barriers to specialisation in breast cancer treatment and supporting promising researchers in the field.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Medical Bursaries for Doctors

• Bursaries to enable doctors to pursue postgraduate education and training in breast cancer treatment
• Primary focus on training at the Royal Marsden Hospital, though other locations may be considered
• Designed to enable those who would otherwise be unable to specialise due to financial circumstances

2. Research Fellowships and Bursaries for Scientists and Nurses

• Fellowships for promising scientists and nurses
• Support for salaries and associated research project costs
• Focus on breast cancer treatment studies and experimental therapy research

3. The Annual Mary Cridlan Lecture

• Supports an annual lecture at the Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute for Cancer Research
• Features eminent and promising breast cancer researchers as invited speakers
• Recent Cridlan lecturers have included:
• Dr Icro Meattini (Florence, Italy) - 17th Annual Royal Marsden Breast Meeting
• Professor Mitch Dowsett - 10th Annual meeting (2017)
• Dr Oreste Gentilini (Milan, Italy) - 18th Annual meeting

Priority Areas

• Breast cancer treatment education for medical professionals
• Breast cancer research and experimental therapy
• Public education about breast cancer through high-profile lectures
• Supporting healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, scientists) in the breast cancer field

What They Don't Fund

Based on the Trust's stated charitable objects, funding is restricted to:

• Breast cancer-related activities only
• Medical professionals, scientists, and nurses working in breast cancer
• Activities connected to the Royal Marsden Hospital or equivalent institutions

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 10 trustees, with no trustees receiving remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Chair: Dr Gillian Margaret Ross

Dr Gillian Ross is one of the UK's leading clinical oncologists with a consultant career spanning nearly 25 years. She practises at the Breast Unit at The Royal Marsden Hospital, specialising in delivering high-tech conformal radiotherapy for breast cancer, lymphoma, and sarcoma. She has a particular interest in metastasis to the brain and is one of the few clinical oncologists with Cyberknife accreditation. Dr Ross obtained her medical degree from the University of Southampton and was an MRC Clinician Scientist for 7 years.

Notable Trustee: Professor Andreas Makris

Professor Makris is a clinical oncologist with over 25 years' experience as a consultant treating breast cancer patients. He serves as Consultant in Clinical Oncology at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre since 1997 and is Clinical Lead for Research for the Mount Vernon Network. He is Co-Chief Investigator of the OPTIMA Trial investigating whether adjuvant chemotherapy can be avoided in high-risk early breast cancer. Professor Makris has published over 140 peer-reviewed papers and also serves as a trustee for Breast Cancer Now and the UK Breast Cancer Group.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Cridlan Ross Smith Charitable Trust operates through trustee discretion rather than open applications. Grants appear to be made primarily through established relationships with the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research.

The Trust's primary activities include:

• Supporting bursaries and fellowships, likely coordinated through the Royal Marsden Hospital
• Funding the annual Mary Cridlan Lecture as part of the Annual Royal Marsden Breast Cancer Meeting
• Sponsoring research at institutions working in breast cancer treatment

Getting on Their Radar

The Trust's work is closely connected to the Royal Marsden Hospital's Breast Unit and the Annual Royal Marsden Breast Cancer Meeting. The Trust sponsors the Cridlan Lecture at this annual meeting, which is part of a broader breast cancer symposium attended by clinicians and senior nurses.

Specific opportunities include:

• The Annual Royal Marsden Breast Cancer Meeting: This event, typically held each October in London, is open to all professionals involved in looking after women with breast cancer. It is awarded 6 CPD points by the Royal College of Physicians. Attendance may provide networking opportunities with Trust trustees who are active in this field.
• Direct contact: The Trust can be contacted by phone at 01926 711392 or by post at 8 Shepherd Close, Long Itchington, Southam CV47 9RE.
• Through the Royal Marsden Hospital: Given Dr Gillian Ross's role as Chair and her position at the Royal Marsden Breast Unit, enquiries about bursaries and fellowships may be directed through the hospital's research and education departments.

Application Success Factors

While there is no formal application process, the following factors are likely to influence funding decisions based on the Trust's stated objectives:

• Focus on breast cancer: All funding is restricted to breast cancer education, treatment, and research
• Royal Marsden connection: The Trust has strong ties to the Royal Marsden Hospital; work connected to this institution may be favoured
• Financial need: For bursaries, the Trust specifically aims to support those “who otherwise would not be able to specialise due to financial circumstances”
• Research excellence: For fellowships, the Trust supports “promising scientists and nurses” - demonstrating research potential is key
• Educational impact: Projects that advance public or professional education in breast cancer are prioritised
• Practical outcomes: The Trust supports “studies in breast cancer treatment” and “research and experimental therapy” with real-world applications

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. No public application process - The Trust operates through trustee discretion and established relationships rather than open calls for applications
2. Breast cancer focus only - All funding is restricted to breast cancer education, treatment, and research
3. Royal Marsden connection - The Trust has strong institutional ties to the Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research
4. Professional development emphasis - Primary focus is on bursaries and fellowships for doctors, nurses, and scientists
5. Contact directly - Interested parties should contact the Trust directly by phone (01926 711392) to enquire about potential funding opportunities
6. Attend the Annual Breast Cancer Meeting - The Royal Marsden Breast Cancer Meeting provides an opportunity to network with trustees and learn about the Trust's activities
7. Work through the Royal Marsden - For those with connections to the Royal Marsden Hospital, enquiries about bursaries may be best directed through the hospital's education or research departments

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE HOPE FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH
• The Caron Keating Foundation
• The Rosemere Cancer Foundation
• The Willie and Mabel Morris Charitable Trust
• The Thackray Medical Research Trust
• THE JGW PATTERSON FOUNDATION
• THE EVELYN TRUST
• Yorkshire Cancer Research
• Leeds Hospitals Charity
• The North Staffordshire Medical Institute Limited

References

• Charity Commission Register: THE CRIDLAN ROSS SMITH CHARITABLE TRUST 2004 - 1112652 -
• The 17th Annual Royal Marsden Breast Cancer Meeting Programme - Association of Breast Surgery
• The 18th Annual Royal Marsden Breast Cancer Meeting - The Royal Marsden
• Dr Gillian Ross profile - Top Doctors UK
• Professor Andreas Makris - UK Breast Cancer Group
• Professor Andreas Makris - Breast Cancer Now