The Darby Rimmer Mnd Foundation

Charity Number: 1185307

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £375,000 (2023/24 charitable activities expenditure)
  • Research Funding Committed: Over £1.2 million total
  • Care Grants: £50,000 annually (via MND Association partnership)
  • Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
  • Application Method: Email for research grants; through MND Association for care grants
  • Founded: October 2019

Contact Details

  • Website: https://darbyrimmermnd.co.uk/
  • Email: enquiries@darbyrimmermnd.co.uk
  • Phone: 0151 546 6113
  • Research Funding Applications: stephen@darbyrimmermnd.co.uk

Overview

The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation was established in October 2019 by former Liverpool, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers footballer Stephen Darby and British Forces Veteran Chris Rimmer, both of whom were diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. The foundation operates with three core objectives: raising awareness of MND, funding biomedical research to find treatments and a cure, and providing financial support to individuals and families affected by the disease. With total income of £689,936 (2023/24) and five trustees, all of whom serve without remuneration, the foundation has committed over £1.2 million to MND research and donated £210,000 towards 642 care grants through their partnership with the MND Association. Co-founder Chris Rimmer sadly passed away in 2022, but the foundation continues its mission in his memory, including launching “The Chris Rimmer Grant” to support affected individuals and families.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Funding Programme

  • Amount: Variable (previous awards ranged from £50,000 to £195,000)
  • Duration: Maximum 3 years
  • Focus: Biomedical research into Motor Neurone Disease
  • Application Method: Email application to stephen@darbyrimmermnd.co.uk
  • Eligibility: UK-based research applications only
  • Application Schedule: Periodic funding rounds (currently in 3rd round as of 2024)

Major Research Commitment

  • EXPERT-ALS Platform: £700,000 commitment to support pre-trial drug platform
  • This represents the foundation's largest single research commitment

Care Grants Programme (via MND Association Partnership)

  • Amount: £50,000 annually donated to MND Association
  • Structure: First £250 of each eligible grant funded by the foundation
  • Total Impact: £210,000 towards 642 grants since 2019
  • Application Method: Apply through MND Association's financial support programme
  • Types of Support: Equipment (stair lifts, feeding aids, mobile arm supports, riser recliner chairs, beds, electric door systems), home adaptations (wet rooms, through-floor lifts, external ramps), vehicle adaptations, young persons grants, personal grants

Priority Areas

Research Priorities:

  • Understanding disease mechanisms (nutrition, protein homeostasis, oxidative stress)
  • Drug development and screening
  • Epigenetic profiling in clinical trials
  • Mitochondrial variants in ALS
  • Quality of life improvements for people with MND
  • Translational research “driven towards further development”

Support Priorities:

  • Direct financial assistance to people living with MND
  • Equipment and home adaptations enabling independence
  • Family and caregiver support

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but research funding is limited to:

  • UK-based applications only
  • Biomedical research into MND (not other conditions)
  • Maximum 3-year project duration
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Governance and Leadership

Co-Founders:

  • Stephen Darby: Former professional footballer (Liverpool, Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers), diagnosed with MND in 2018 at age 29
  • Chris Rimmer: British Forces Veteran, began experiencing MND symptoms in 2014, passed away in 2022

Governance Structure:

  • 5 trustees (none receive remuneration, payments or benefits)
  • 10 volunteers
  • No employees with benefits over £60,000
  • No trading subsidiaries

Key Quote from Stephen Darby:

“When those who are diagnosed with MND see people showing their support through events like this one, it gives us the strength to keep fighting daily. Together we can make a positive impact on MND and hopefully one day we will see a cure for this disease.”

On Research Importance:

"At the moment there's more going on than 10, 20 years ago but we need to keep pushing that, doing more... Raising awareness is massive."

On Support:

“We understand how important support is and in particular the financial implications this disease brings.”

MND Association CEO Sally Light on the Partnership:

“We are extremely grateful to Stephen and Chris, their fellow Trustees and supporters... The support we will provide will make a tangible difference to people with MND.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Research Funding:

  1. Download the Research Application Form from https://darbyrimmermnd.co.uk/research-funding/
  2. Complete the form with project details (maximum 3-year duration, UK-based only)
  3. Email completed application to stephen@darbyrimmermnd.co.uk
  4. Applications reviewed during periodic funding rounds (foundation is currently in 3rd round as of 2024)

For Care Grants (Individuals/Families with MND):

  1. Apply directly through the MND Association's financial support programme
  2. Visit the MND Association website or contact their helpline
  3. The Darby Rimmer Foundation contributes the first £250 of each eligible grant
  4. No need to apply separately to the Darby Rimmer Foundation

Decision Timeline

Not explicitly stated. Research funding appears to operate on periodic rounds rather than rolling basis.

Success Rates

Research Funding:

  • The foundation has funded 6 major research projects between 2021-2022 totaling approximately £710,000
  • Recently committed £700,000 to EXPERT-ALS
  • Currently accepting applications for 3rd research funding round

Care Grants:

  • 642 grants supported since 2019 through the partnership with MND Association
  • Total of £210,000 distributed over this period

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available materials.

Application Success Factors

For Research Applicants:

  1. UK-Based Requirement: Applications must be from UK-based researchers
  2. Biomedical Focus: Research should advance understanding of MND mechanisms or develop potential treatments
  3. Translational Potential: The foundation values research “driven towards further development” - work that can progress toward clinical application
  4. Clear Research Objectives: Previous successful projects had well-defined aims in specific areas (nutrition, drug screening, epigenetics, mitochondrial function, quality of life)
  5. Realistic Duration: Maximum 3 years - projects should be achievable within this timeframe

Examples of Previously Funded Research:

  • Professor Kevin Talbot: “Target identification of oxidative stress response-modifying drugs” (£79,991, completed)
  • Professor John Quinn: “From biology to quality of life in MND” (£195,149, 2 years)
  • Professor Chris McDermott: “Understanding nutrition in MND” (£50,333, 2 years)
  • Professor Pam Shaw & Professor Kurt De Vos: “Drug screening assay for C9ALS/FTD” (£137,585, 2 years)
  • Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi & Dr Ahmad Khleifat: “Epigenetic profile in MND clinical trials” (£83,376, 18 months)
  • Dr Alfredo Iacoangeli: “Mitochondrial variants in ALS” (£102,399, 2 years)

For Care Grant Applicants:

Applications are made through the MND Association rather than directly to the foundation, so follow the MND Association's standard eligibility criteria and application process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Dual Focus: The foundation supports both biomedical research and direct care grants - ensure you're applying to the correct programme
  • UK Only: All research funding is restricted to UK-based applications
  • Personal Connection: Founded by two people living with MND, the foundation deeply understands the urgency and practical challenges - applications should reflect awareness of patient impact
  • Translational Value: Research proposals should articulate how findings could advance toward clinical application or improved patient outcomes
  • Care Grants Indirect: If seeking support for individuals/families with MND, apply through the MND Association partnership rather than directly
  • Growing Commitment: The foundation has significantly scaled up funding (from individual project grants to a £700,000 commitment to EXPERT-ALS), suggesting they may support larger-scale initiatives
  • Collaborative Approach: Partnership with MND Association and other foundations (e.g., My Name5 Doddie Foundation) indicates openness to collaborative funding models

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