The Rosemere Cancer Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £1.5M (approx)
• Annual Expenditure on Grants: £1.2M - £1.5M
• Decision Time: Reviewed at biannual funding rounds (January and July)
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (rolling) | Over £5,000 (fixed deadlines)
• Geographic Focus: Lancashire and South Cumbria (specific NHS trusts)
• Accepts Unsolicited Applications: Yes (from eligible NHS trusts only)

Contact Details

Website: https://rosemere.org.uk/apply-for-funding/

Main Contact for Funding Applications:

• Dan Hill, Head of Trust Charities
• Email: daniel.hill@lthtr.nhs.uk
• Phone: 01772 522913
• Mobile: 07850 770530

Trusts and Grants Officer:

• Rebecca Arestidou
• Email: rebecca.hall2@lthtr.nhs.uk
• Phone: 01772 522913
• Mobile: 07850 770529

Office Address: Rosemere Cancer Foundation, Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Preston, PR2 9HT

Overview

The Rosemere Cancer Foundation (charity no. 1131583) was established in 2009, taking over from the earlier Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Cancer Treatment Fund. The foundation supports world-class cancer treatment for 70,000 people living with cancer across Lancashire and South Cumbria, funding cutting-edge equipment, research, training, and patient welfare projects that the NHS cannot afford. The charity works in partnership with clinical staff at eight cancer units in the region: Preston, Chorley, Blackpool, Burnley, Blackburn, Lancaster, Kendal, and Barrow. With annual income of approximately £1.5 million, the foundation has funded millions of pounds worth of equipment and services since its inception, including the £1.25 million contribution toward the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical equipment. John Hodgson was appointed chairman in 2023, following the death of long-time chairman Peter Mileham OBE DL, who coined the “Rosemere” name combining Lancashire's red rose with the Lake District's “mere.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants (Under £5,000)

• Amount: Up to £5,000
• Application Method: Rolling basis throughout the year
• Submission: Email application form to daniel.hill@lthtr.nhs.uk

Major Grants (Over £5,000)

• Amount: Over £5,000 (can be substantial - e.g., £70,000+ for major projects)
• Application Method: Fixed deadlines - second Monday of January and July
• Submission: Email application form to daniel.hill@lthtr.nhs.uk
• Recommendation: Contact Dan Hill before submitting to discuss funding needs

Priority Areas

The foundation currently funds:

Patient Welfare Projects

• Comfort improvements (e.g., patient gowns, skylights, ice lollies for wards)
• Accommodation for patients and families (e.g., Rosemere House - £70,000)
• Return-to-work support services
• Complementary therapy services (£28,800 committed for 2024)
• Stress-reduction initiatives

Specialist Equipment

• Major surgical equipment (e.g., Da Vinci Xi robot - £1.25M contribution)
• Diagnostic equipment (e.g., Image Guided Radiotherapy facilities)
• Smaller equipment (e.g., vacuum seal checking device - £18,834, medical chairs, freezer units - £32,590)
• Patient information systems (waiting room screens)

Staff Training & Wellbeing

• Developmental training for oncology staff
• Professional development opportunities
• Staff wellbeing initiatives that impact patient care

Research Projects (currently limited)

• Oncology-related research by NHS staff
• Note: Currently unable to process research funding applications due to ongoing pandemic impacts
• When accepting research applications: diagnostic research (e.g., womb cancer diagnostics - £23,815), treatment improvement studies (e.g., hearing loss from cancer treatment - £10,000), imaging research, early phase experimental medicine trials (£80,000 over 2 years)

Education

• Cancer Education Hub (£180,000 initial grant)
• Research facility support (LCRF Specialist Nurse - £80,000 for 2 years)

What They Fund

Projects must:

• Offer immediate impact and benefit to cancer patients in the region
• Support cancer treatment at eligible NHS trusts
• Address needs beyond standard NHS provision
• Benefit patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria
• Be submitted by or with support of NHS staff at eligible trusts

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the four designated NHS trusts
• Non-cancer-related healthcare projects
• Projects that should be funded by the NHS as standard provision
• Currently: Research funding (temporary restriction)
• Projects without clear benefit to cancer patients

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Governance and Leadership

Chairman

John Hodgson - Appointed 2023

• Former secondary school assistant headteacher
• Long-standing supporter (nearly two decades)
• Personal connection: wife Catherine received treatment at Rosemere Cancer Centre
• Quote: “I feel so honoured to be invited to become chairman of Rosemere Cancer Foundation... As with many Rosemere Cancer Foundation supporters, I felt I wanted to give something back for the wonderful treatment Catherine had received at Rosemere Cancer Centre. I vowed to organise an event to raise funds.”

Key Staff

Dan Hill - Head of Trust Charities

• Primary contact for funding applications
• Dan Hill quote about John Hodgson: “John instils confidence. It is a real asset to have him at the helm”

Sue Swire - Fundraising Manager

• Phone: 01772 528346 / 07887 803788
• Email: susan.swire@lthtr.nhs.uk

Rebecca Arestidou - Trusts and Grants Officer

• Manages grant applications and relationships
• Phone: 01772 522913 / 07850 770529
• Email: rebecca.hall2@lthtr.nhs.uk

Yvonne Stott - Community and Events

Theresa Connelly - Office Manager

Hannah Leahy - Fundraising Assistant and Admin Support

Amy Hilton - Digital and Communications

Former Leadership

Peter Mileham OBE DL (Former Chairman, died 2023)

• Created the “Rosemere” name combining Lancashire's red rose with Lake District's “mere”
• Former High Sheriff of Lancashire
• Legacy: Established the foundation's strong regional identity

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

• Your organization must be one of the four eligible NHS trusts:
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Blackpool Fylde & Wyre NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
• East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Step 2: Choose Application Route

For grants under £5,000:

• Download the standard application form from https://rosemere.org.uk/apply-for-funding/
• Complete and submit to daniel.hill@lthtr.nhs.uk
• Can be submitted at any time throughout the year

For grants over £5,000:

• Contact Dan Hill (daniel.hill@lthtr.nhs.uk / 07850 770530) to discuss your proposal BEFORE submitting
• Download the appropriate application form from the website
• Complete and submit by the second Monday of January or July
• Email to daniel.hill@lthtr.nhs.uk

Step 3: Application Review

• Standard applications reviewed against funding criteria
• Research applications may require additional review and information
• All applications subject to fund availability

Decision Timeline

For grants under £5,000:

• Reviewed on a rolling basis
• Specific decision timeline not publicly stated
• Likely faster turnaround than major grants

For grants over £5,000:

• Applications reviewed at biannual funding rounds (January and July)
• Decisions made following the funding window
• Research funding may take longer due to additional review requirements

Notification:

• Applicants notified via email following funding decisions

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The foundation emphasizes that all applications are subject to:

• Meeting funding criteria
• Availability of charitable funds at the time of application
• Alignment with current strategic priorities

Given their annual expenditure of £1.2M-£1.5M on charitable activities and their specific focus on four NHS trusts, the foundation appears to fund a significant proportion of eligible applications that align with their priorities.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly state restrictions on reapplication. Given their rolling application process for smaller grants and biannual rounds for larger grants, unsuccessful applicants could reapply in subsequent funding rounds. Contacting Dan Hill for feedback before reapplying would be advisable.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrated Immediate Impact

The foundation explicitly states they fund projects that “offer immediate impact and benefit to cancer patients in the region.” Successful applications clearly articulate how patients will benefit quickly, not just long-term outcomes. Examples: patient gowns for immediate use during treatment, skylights to reduce anxiety during procedures, equipment that becomes operational immediately.

Patient-Centered Focus

Projects that directly improve patient experience tend to be successful. The foundation has funded comfort items (ice lollies, patient gowns), stress-reduction features (cloud skylights - £3,817), and accommodation (Rosemere House - £70,000). Applications should emphasize patient welfare and experience, not just clinical outcomes.

Beyond Standard NHS Provision

The foundation explicitly funds “cutting edge equipment, research, training and other cancer services and therapies that the NHS is unable to afford.” Successful applications demonstrate why the NHS cannot fund this through standard budgets and why it's needed despite not being standard provision.

Evidence-Based Approaches

Funded projects often cite research or evidence. For example, the cloud skylight was funded because “evidence suggests that when patients focus on watching clouds during procedures, their anxiety level reduces.” Include evidence, pilot data, or research supporting your proposal.

Clear Costings and Equipment Specifications

Successful equipment applications provide specific models, costs, and suppliers. Examples from funded projects: vacuum seal checking device (£18,834), freezer units (£32,590.18), specialist gowns (500 units), research funding (£23,815.30 for womb cancer diagnostics). Be precise with budgets.

Regional Relevance

Emphasize how the project benefits the 70,000 people living with cancer across Lancashire and South Cumbria. Projects serving multiple sites across the region may be viewed favorably. The foundation values their role in supporting eight cancer units across the region.

Pre-Application Discussion for Major Grants

The foundation states that applicants should contact Dan Hill to discuss funding needs before submitting applications over £5,000. This suggests they value collaborative development of proposals and may provide guidance on strengthening applications.

Staff Involvement

Applications should demonstrate NHS staff involvement and support. The foundation works “in partnership with local clinical staff” and funds research “by NHS staff.” Strong clinical champion involvement appears important.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Eligibility is restricted: Only NHS trusts in Lancashire and South Cumbria can apply - specifically Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, Blackpool Fylde & Wyre, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay, and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts
• Two distinct funding routes: Under £5,000 (rolling) vs over £5,000 (January/July deadlines) - choose your route strategically based on project cost
• Pre-application contact is strongly advised: Dan Hill welcomes discussions before submission for grants over £5,000 - use this opportunity to refine your proposal
• Emphasize immediate patient impact: The foundation prioritizes projects offering immediate benefit - clearly articulate how patients will benefit quickly, not just long-term outcomes
• Research funding currently paused: Focus applications on patient welfare, equipment, or staff training/wellbeing rather than research projects until further notice
• Patient experience matters as much as clinical outcomes: Comfort, stress-reduction, and quality-of-life improvements are valued - don't just focus on medical efficacy
• Demonstrate additionality: Clearly show why this cannot be funded through standard NHS budgets and why it's needed despite not being standard provision

References

1. Rosemere Cancer Foundation - Apply for Funding page. https://rosemere.org.uk/apply-for-funding/

1. Rosemere Cancer Foundation - Homepage. https://rosemere.org.uk/

1. Rosemere Cancer Foundation - Meet the Team. https://rosemere.org.uk/about-us/meet-the-team/

1. Rosemere Cancer Foundation - Projects Funded. https://rosemere.org.uk/key-achievements/

1. The Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Rosemere Cancer Foundation (1131583). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4047479

1. Blog Preston. “Rosemere Cancer Foundation confirms long-standing supporter John Hodgson as new chair.” https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2023/09/rosemere-cancer-foundation-confirms-long-standing-supported-john-hodgson-as-new-chair/

1. Lancashire Evening Post. “Rosemere works to reduce patient stress with funding for two new cancer centre projects.” https://www.lep.co.uk/community/rosemere-works-to-reduce-patient-stress-with-funding-for-two-new-cancer-centre-projects-5401806

1. Charity Choice - Rosemere Cancer Foundation profile. https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/rosemere-cancer-foundation