The Harley Staples Cancer Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £11,679 - £116,368 (varies by year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: ~3-4 months
• Grant Range: Up to £100,000 over 3 years (research grants)
• Geographic Focus: UK and Ireland

Contact Details

Website: www.harleystaples.co.uk

Phone: 07760 427758

Email: harleysholidays8@gmail.com

Research Grants: Through CCLG at www.cclg.org.uk/research/cclg-grants/harley-staples

Overview

The Harley Staples Cancer Trust was established in 2010 by Katherine and Jamie Staples in memory of their son Harley, who died from a rare leukaemia aged just 8. The charity has raised over £500,000 since inception and operates on an entirely volunteer basis with no paid staff. They fund research into rare childhood cancers with poor prognosis, specifically those with five-year survival rates below 60%. The trust received national recognition in 2018 when founders Katherine and Jamie Staples were awarded the Points of Light award by Prime Minister Theresa May for their outstanding work supporting families affected by childhood cancer. Beyond research grants, the charity provides free holiday accommodation and support services to families facing childhood cancer.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Harley Staples Cancer Trust Research Grant: Up to £100,000 over maximum 3 years (administered through CCLG, competitive peer-reviewed process)

Priority Areas

• Rare childhood cancers with poor prognosis (five-year survival rates <60%)
• Specific cancer types or sub-types with poor outcomes
• Relapsed/refractory disease for specific childhood cancers
• Special interest in rare childhood leukaemias with poor prognosis, particularly T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

What They Don't Fund

• Cancers with survival rates above 60%
• Research outside UK and Ireland
• Non-research activities through their grant program

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Governance and Leadership

Founders/Trustees: Katherine and Jamie Staples established the charity after losing their son Harley to B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Burkitt type) in 2009. They received the Points of Light award from PM Theresa May, who stated: "Your work together founding 'The Harley Staples Cancer Trust' has allowed hundreds of families with children suffering from cancer to enjoy quality time together during a very difficult period in their lives."

The charity operates with 3 trustees and 2 volunteers, with no paid employees or trustee remuneration.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Research grants are administered through CCLG (Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group):

• Submit applications via CCLG's online portal (cclg.flexigrant.com)
• Competitive peer-reviewed process following AMRC principles
• Recommendations made by CCLG's Research Advisory Group
• Final decision by The Harley Staples Cancer Trust

Decision Timeline

Approximately 3-4 months from submission deadline to decision (based on previous cycles: September deadline, December decision)

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available documentation

Application Success Factors

• Scientific Excellence: Applications judged primarily on scientific quality and potential impact
• Clear Relevance: Must explicitly address childhood cancers with documented poor prognosis (<60% survival)
• Plain English Communication: Required Plain English Summary must be accessible to lay audiences, patients, and families
• Public Engagement Plans: Must describe how you will engage the public throughout the research
• Broader Impact: Demonstrate potential for research impact beyond the immediate project
• Partnership Approach: The charity specifically approached CCLG to support research funding, indicating preference for collaborative approaches
• Previous Success: Their first grant went to a CRUK-funded Clinician Scientist Fellow at UCL, suggesting preference for established researchers with strong institutional support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus explicitly on cancers with five-year survival rates below 60% - this is a strict criterion
• Emphasize T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia connections if relevant - this holds special significance for the founders
• Invest significant effort in the Plain English Summary - the charity values accessibility to families affected by cancer
• Include robust public engagement plans throughout your research timeline
• Applications processed through CCLG's established peer review system - meet their standards for scientific rigor
• The charity operates entirely through volunteers - demonstrate efficient use of funds and clear value for money
• Connect your research to the charity's personal mission of helping families facing rare childhood cancers

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Little Princess Trust
• The Rob George Foundation
• The Edwina Mountbatten and Leonora Children's Foundation
• The Caron Keating Foundation
• The Rosemere Cancer Foundation
• Azaylia Foundation
• Histiocytosis UK
• Cancer Research UK
• BREAST CANCER NOW
• The Albert Van Den Bergh Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Details for THE HARLEY STAPLES CANCER TRUST (1138464)
• CCLG Grant Information Page - www.cclg.org.uk/research/cclg-grants/harley-staples
• Points of Light Award announcement by Prime Minister Theresa May, October 31, 2018
• The Harley Staples Cancer Trust Annual Report 2024 (Year ending 31 March 2024)
• UCL Cancer Institute announcement of Dr. David O'Connor's research grant, January 2021
• Official charity website - www.harleystaples.co.uk