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Author: Danni Smith

Leading hospital charity thanks supporters for ending another year of giving with more festive spirit than ever before 

Posted on by Danni Smith

A leading hospital charity has marked the end of another year of extraordinary giving by bringing in more festive spirit than ever before. 

Every year, supporters of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) donate millions of pounds to help make Addenbrooke’s even better, with Christmas the chance to shine a light for patients and staff during what can be a very difficult time of year for many. 

With another special event being added to the charity’s annual festive activities, the charity has thanked its supporters for ‘remembering there are people in hospital who need a little love.” 

Each year, ACT supporters help fund Christmas events and activities designed to bring a smile to both patients and staff, with the charity funding a Christmas hamper for staff on the wards at Christmas.  

The hospital charity also funds the staff Winter Festival through its Stronger Together grant as a way of thanking hardworking staff who give so much to patients throughout the year. 

In addition to this, ACT works closely with its corporate partners throughout the year looking at ways in which they can give back to both Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie, including Christmas time. 

Cambridge Commodities, based in Ely, is one of those – and each year, staff at the firm hold an annual ball to fundraise to buy every patient in hospital on Christmas Day a present, as well as chocolates for staff working over the Christmas holidays. Staff from the firm also volunteer their time to sit down and personally handwrite a card to go with every present. (Pictured below are Chris Dakin and his son Matt, from Cambridge Commodities)

This year sees another special Christmas activity added to the charity’s growing list of festive treats with presents for the children’s wards, allowing young patients the chance to choose, and wrap, a present for their parent or carer. Presents were bought using a donation from Marsh Industries’ Sooey Campaign, the company’s fundraising initiative for children’s hospitals across the UK.  


Cheffins CEO Bill King with Emma Meade and Kat Collen from the Play Team at Addenbrooke’s

Cheffins – who this year partnered with ACT during its 200-year anniversary and pledged to raise funds to help build a playroom at the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital – have also donated 200 comforters to babies receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Addenbrooke’s this Christmas.  

Reflecting on all the Christmas spirit the charity has been able to provide for patients and staff, with the help of its supporters, Paul White, Director of Communications and Impact at ACT, said: “Whether you are a patient that wants to be home with their loved ones, or a member of staff caring for people who you know should be with their families, this time of year can be especially challenging to be in hospital. However, never is there a better example of the unwavering kindness and support of the local community than at Christmas.” 

“This year our supporters have donated both money and time, meaning ACT has been able to do even more for patients and staff at Addenbrooke’s than ever before. From the unstoppable Cambridge Commodities who are wrapping thousands of presents so that every patient in hospital on Christmas Day gets a special gift, to the hampers for staff bought using kind donations from the public to remind them how grateful we all are, countless people are stepping up, remembering there are people in hospital who need a little love, and doing their bit to make Addenbrooke’s even better.” 

“Every act of kindness makes a difference, and we couldn’t do any of what we do to change and save lives without the public’s wonderful donations.” 

James Stevens, CEO of Cambridge Commodities, said it was his company’s 7th year of partnership with ACT, but their 6th year of buying Christmas presents for every patient in hospital on Christmas Day. 

He said memories from the past six years were ‘indescribable” and added: “We raise the money at our annual charity ball, we wrap the presents in our office, where our incredible staff stay late for a couple of evenings in December and wrap thousands of gifts and hand write every single card. We are then given the amazing opportunity of taking the gifts to the hospital which is pretty special and something you never forget. This year we have been given an even greater opportunity where we will hand deliver the presents directly to the wards, which we are all excited about.” 

“The memories that this brings to the team are indescribable and we have had some magical moments where people we have known have woken up on Christmas day in the hospital and received a gift from Cambridge Commodities. Something that can bring a smile in a moment when life might be quite hard. Closer to home, one of our wrapping staff ended up giving birth over the festive period and was given a gift and card that she might have wrapped herself.” 

Natasha Robertson (left), Corporate Partnerships Manager at ACT, described the event as “one of the most special moments in our annual calendar.” 

“Knowing that every patient waking up in hospital on Christmas Day will have a gift to open is incredibly moving, and it reflects the true spirit of thinking of others at this time of year. We’re immensely grateful to Cambridge Commodities, whose long-standing support makes this possible. They don’t just fund the presents – they wrap them and personally deliver them to the wards, always adding those extra thoughtful touches that mean so much to our patients and staff. Their generosity helps bring a sense of warmth and celebration into the hospital when it’s needed most.” 

Molly Youngs (below), ACT’s Corporate Partnerships Executive, said she was really excited to see the latest activity added to the charity’s list of festive events – with children in hospital able to choose a special present for their parent or carer at Christmas – after inspiration from her children’s school. 

“The idea first came to me when I was part of my boys’ school PTA. We had an Elf Shop where parents donated gifts, and the children got to enjoy their own little shopping experience—choosing something special for their loved ones in secret. My two boys absolutely loved it, and the joy on their faces when they handed us their chosen presents on Christmas morning was magical. That memory is what inspired me to bring the same experience into the hospital.” 

“With the amazing help of Ann from the Play Team, we’ve been able to make it happen. Now, children who can’t leave the hospital over Christmas can still pick out a present, wrap it up, and surprise their family on Christmas morning.” 

“It means a lot to us to think about every family’s circumstances—some parents may not otherwise receive a gift—and this gives children the chance to give something back, no matter what.” 

“Seeing this introduced for the very first time is incredibly exciting, and I truly hope we can continue it next year. For children who may be quite unwell, I hope this little moment of joy brings comfort at a time when being in hospital can feel especially hard. Christmas is about love and togetherness, and this is one way of bringing that spirit to the wards.” 

R G Carter Construction in Cambridge also donated 50 presents for patients on the elderly ward at Addenbrooke’s this Christmas. 

Delivering a tinsel-wrapped trolley full of presents for children on the wards to choose and wrap for their mums, dads, and carers on Christmas day brought a lot of happiness to the ACT team, and all the members of the hospital’s play team. 

Ann, the Play Team manager from Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie, thanked ACT for making this special event possible, saying: “I think this is a wonderful way of making sure all the parents are thought about this Christmas even if the children remain in hospital over the Christmas period.” 

Patients included five-year-old Harry, from St Neot’s, who underwent a liver and bowel transplant using 1.2 metres of bowel and a third of his dad’s liver in an operation in January. Harry helped pick a special present for his mum and dad, Annie and Gary, with mum Annie saying: “He’s doing good but there’s been a lot of bumps.” 

Baby Teddy was asleep in bed when ACT helped deliver a present for his mum Claire, who has four boys including Teddy. Claire said: â€œIt’s a wonderful idea, so kind. It’s a little pick me up. It means a lot for someone to be thinking of the parents when you are going through this.” 

As the official hospital charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, funds cutting-edge equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research to fund potential cures and help save lives, above and beyond what the NHS can provide. 

ACT is also fundraising to help build two new pioneering hospitals on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus which will benefit patients not just in the East of England, but nationally and globally too – the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and the Cambridge Children’s Hospital. 

Each year, the charity donates millions to Addenbrooke’s to help make it even better – and in the past 30 years alone, has invested more than ÂŁ150 million in the hospitals. 

To find out more about what ACT does and how you can help make Addenbrooke’s even better, please donate here.

To find out about volunteer opportunities at ACT, click here.

Corporates who would like to support ACT as Charity of the Year can also get in touch by emailing: corporatepartnerships@act4addenbrookes.org.uk.  

Addenbrooke’s to host live Channel 4 programme for Stand Up To Cancer 2025 

Posted on by Danni Smith

A pioneering Channel 4 programme presented by Davina McCall will broadcast live from Addenbrooke’s Hospital as part of this year’s Stand Up To Cancer 2025. 

Photo courtesy of Channel 4

The programme will highlight the expertise, innovation and dedication of clinicians in Cambridge, as Cancer Clinic: Live broadcasts from a special one-off cancer clinic at Addenbrooke’s on the evening of Friday 12th December. 

By focusing on the groundbreaking work that is happening here at Addenbrooke’s as well as Royal Papworth, the show will shine a spotlight on Cambridge where the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH) is set to be built. Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) is raising significant funds for CCRH, with the public being asked to raise ÂŁ100million towards the build of this groundbreaking new hospital.  

For the first time on UK television, viewers of the Channel 4 programme will see clinical consultations with cancer specialists from Addenbrooke’s unfold in real time. Viewers will hear from patients and their families whose cancer journeys have been followed for several weeks from diagnosis to results, as they continue through treatment. 

Producers say the aim of the programme is to demystify what happens inside a cancer clinic, tackle the fear that prevents many from seeking help, and show the life-saving impact of early diagnosis. 

Although producers have not yet specified which areas of cancer will be featured within the show, there are plans to cover at least one groundbreaking project which has received funding from ACT supporters.   

Cancer Clinic: Live will be part of a wider series of programmes on Channel 4 for Stand Up To Cancer, fronted by presenter Adam Hills, which will include special editions of Channel 4 shows such as Celebrity Gogglebox and The Last Leg.  

This year, a new campaign by Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK will also drive awareness of NHS cancer screening programmes and raise funds for groundbreaking cancer research. A nationwide Screening Checker is being launched to allow members of the public to find out which NHS and PHA cancer screenings they are eligible for and to get advice on the screening process. 

Addenbrooke’s Hospital, part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is a national and regional centre for many cancers including rarer types of cancer. Its Cancer Services care for around 6,000 new patients each year, aiming to deliver the highest quality clinical care, supported by world-leading research and innovation.  

Addenbrooke’s is a specialist hospital located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Cambridge is home to the largest life sciences cluster in Europe and one of the most productive communities of cancer researchers in the world, with academics from the University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre and industry partners.  

The campus will also be the site for the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital which will bring together academia, industry and clinical excellence under one roof, to transform the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. 

Stand Up To Cancer UK is a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, bringing the nation together to accelerate life-saving research.  

TV Presenter Davina McCall said: “I want to take the fear out of cancer screening and show everyone that they are not on their own in this. I’ve been part of Stand Up To Cancer UK since it started in 2012 and I knew for this year’s campaign I wanted to step out of the TV studio and speak to real people facing a cancer diagnosis.”

She added: “On the night of Stand Up To Cancer I will be with incredible teams of medical professionals to demystify what happens inside a cancer clinic. Cancer Clinic: Live is about showing the reality of the incredible care, science and humanity of a cancer diagnosis, and reminding people that early diagnosis gives you options and hope.” 

Cancer Clinic: Live is produced by Bango Studios and HiddenLight and the executive producers are Amy Flanagan, Emma Jay and Emily Hudd. 

To find out more information about Stand Up To Cancer 2025 and the new screening campaign click here. 

Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital
Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital

Click here to donate to the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.

Charity auction offers lucky bidder chance to feature in Lord Archer’s final standalone novel in support of Cambridge Children’s Hospital

Posted on by Danni Smith

This November, one lucky bidder will see their name immortalised in a Jeffrey Archer novel, as part of Cheffins’ 200-Year Anniversary Charity Auction, with all proceeds going to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and their campaign to raise money to build the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

As part of its 200-year anniversary celebrations, Cheffins has partnered with international bestselling author Jeffrey Archer to offer an extraordinary prize: the winning bidder’s name will appear in his final standalone novel, due for release in 2026.

Lord Archer, who is marking his 50th year of writing, said:

“Not many people can say they’ve found their way into a Jeffrey Archer novel, but this auction gives them the chance! It’s my final standalone novel, so I thought it was time to have a little fun and try to raise money for a fantastic charity at the same time.”

“Only I will decide who this character is in the book and how they fit into the plot. They could be a chauffeur, a fast bowler, a farmer, or a fraudster. I can’t wait to find out who wins the bidding and how their name will fit into my final novel.”

Jeffrey Archer has sold over 275 million copies of his books worldwide, published in 97 countries and in more than 37 languages. He is the only author to have reached the number one bestseller spot in fiction, short story and non-fiction categories. Archer’s latest book ‘End Game’ was released in September 2025 and signalled the close of a run of eight books starring fictional character ‘William Warwick.’

Proceeds from the auction, which is now live on the Cheffins website, will go towards building a playroom for children being treated at the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital (CCH).

The hospital will not only be the first specialist children’s hospital for the East of England but also the first in the world to fully integrate treatment of children’s mental and physical health, alongside world-leading research.

Cambridge Children's Hospital architects drawing

Cheffins has been supporting the cause as part of the firm’s 200-year anniversary celebrations, as it focusses on supporting the next generations throughout East Anglia.

Lord Archer, who is married to Dame Mary, who is ACT’s President as well as co-chair of the CCH campaign board, said: “Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust is a charity which is close to my heart, not least because my wife, Mary, is President and has committed so much of her life to Addenbrooke’s. Please dig deep and this Christmas give as much as you can afford, knowing that you will be helping build a new children’s hospital at the same time.”

As of Wednesday 12th November, the current bid for Lord Archer’s ‘lot with a difference’ stood at ÂŁ1,200, with the next bid priced at ÂŁ1,300 upwards.

The live auction, which ends on November 23rd, includes a series of other money-can’t-buy opportunities, including a six-night stay in an exclusive resort in the Bahamas; Six Nations tickets; a Porsche driving experience and a week-long stay in a privately-owned bothy in Scotland.

Martin Millard, Equity Director, Cheffins says: “To have your name included in one of the world’s most successful author’s final standalone novel is a rare prize and something which would eclipse all other gifts under the tree for one of Archer’s hundreds of thousands of die-hard fans. As this is such a unique and unusual opportunity, it is impossible to put any sort of estimate on what something like this might be worth. Opening bids will be place at around ÂŁ500 but there’s no telling how much this could raise in total.”

Cheffins are welcoming bids online now, at www.cheffins.co.uk

Click here to go directly to Cheffins’ live auction page.

First nature-wrapped CT scanner at Addenbrooke’s changes patient experience 

Posted on by Danni Smith

Addenbrooke’s CT department has seen its first scanner wrapped in nature-themed vinyls. 

Jodi Gooding, a Senior Radiographer at Addenbrooke’s, said the aim of the design – as with the MRI Scanner which was wrapped back in August last year – was to ‘bring the outside in’. 

As part of the design, the ring of the Siemens scanner was wrapped earlier this year in a green, leafy design against the backdrop of a bright blue sky – with the walls of the windowless room covered with a photo of a bluebell wood, showing sun bursting through the branches of the trees. 

Jodie said that because the scanner is not enclosed as in the case of an MRI scanner, most patients do go through with their scan first time. However, there have been cases in the past where patients haven’t been able to complete their scan or really struggled to do so. 

“It’s made a huge difference to patients. We don’t have any windows so there is no natural light in here so people always comment about that because now it feels like we do have natural light. It makes the room look much lighter and less clinical. And it appears less scary. I think for the adults it is much more calming but for the children it feels less clinical.” 

The wrap was funded by supporters of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT). Addenbrooke’s has a total of five CT scanners onsite and two remote, with the department applying for more funds from ACT to wrap the next scanner.   

David Biddle, CT Service Manager, said: “The newly ‘wrapped’ CT room and scanner provides a very calm environment that helps put patients at ease during their scan.”  

He said approximately 900 patients, per month, benefit from the generous donation from ACT and the department as a whole scans almost 8,000 patients per month. Since April, when this first scanner was wrapped, it has performed around 4,900 scans.   

ACT is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and funds cutting-edge equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide and is raising money to help build both the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and the Cambridge Children’s Hospital. 

Click here to donate.

 

ACT invests in promising medical professionals early in their careers – bringing potential breakthroughs in patient care and treatments

Posted on by Danni Smith

A leading hospital charity in the East of England has been praised for its early investment in promising medical professionals at the start of their careers – providing them with the support they need to help bring potential breakthroughs in patient care and treatments. 

Speaking at last week’s annual John Addenbrooke Lecture (JAL), organised by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Roland Sinker, CBE, Chief Executive of the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), which governs Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Maternity, said: “In this ecosystem at the absolute heart are the donors and the major partners and that’s why it is so fantastic to have a partner like Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) who are at the centrepiece of trying to help us move this ecosystem forward, often providing us with the pump priming funding, the impetus, the additional step that we need to take things forward.” 

“If we look at what ACT has delivered for this ecosystem, the range of things is really quite staggering… everything from precision breast cancer, which has turned itself into big national changes to pathways; support in surgical robotics, and at the heart of the patient story, the work around My ICU voice which lets patients – when they are at their most vulnerable – communicate with the team who are looking after them and their family.” 

The lecture, which was held at AstraZeneca’s building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, brings together ACT supporters and donors to highlight the impact of the charity’s work – made possible only through the direct support of donors.  

This year’s speakers were Dr Aditi Vedi, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist and Clinical Trialist and Professor Richard Mair, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgical Oncology at the University of Cambridge and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, who during his talk ‘Transforming Survival in Brain Cancer’ thanked ACT for funding a fellowship which gave him the launch pad for his career. 

Dr Vedi also thanked ACT, discussing how supporters of the charity had helped enhance patient access to trials in Cambridge through operational funding and co-funding research alongside commercial and research partners. 

Speaking after the lecture, Paul White, Director of Communications and Impact at ACT, said: “We are incredibly proud of our track record of identifying and backing brilliant medical professionals early in their careers. We are very fortunate that our wonderful supporters provide us with the funds – and trust – to be able to support people like Richard and Aditi because we can see their brilliance and potential. By giving them the launchpad for their career, by providing funding for their fellowship, it means they have the potential to develop their research further which in turn gives them the potential to provide a breakthrough in patient care and treatments further down the line.”   

“What both our speakers at this year’s JAL have talked about – more targeted therapies and precision medicine – is at the forefront of the care that will be provided at the two new hospitals we’re building here in Cambridge; the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and the Cambridge Children’s Hospital. These hospitals will bring amazing clinicians like Richard and Aditi together to progress diagnosis and treatment of illnesses we should be beating faster than we’ve ever been able to before. Every one of the supporters that joined us at this event have been part of the unique ecosystem that is providing hope to children with cancers and patients with brain tumours, and they should feel very proud of that.” 

Professor Mair said the title of his presentation – ‘Transforming Survival in Brain Cancer’, was “probably more of an optimistic title than anything necessarily grounded in fact at the moment. But I do think we’re on the start of a journey that perhaps we could have some impact that would be transformational.” 

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust funded Professor Mair’s Fellowship back in 2013 – with Professor Mair telling the audience, “The only people who gave me a chance were ACT.” 

“I got my first break with ACT to come down to Cambridge to do some research so I am hugely grateful for what ACT was able to do for me and my career, so it’s wonderful to be able to give that back a little bit and talk about what we’ve been doing in brain cancer.” 

Professor Mair spoke about his work on the Minderoo Precision Brain Tumour Programme (MPBTP), a collaboration between the Minderoo Foundation, the University of Cambridge, the NHS and Illumina which aims to give more precise and effective care for brain cancer patients on the NHS, with the potential to revolutionise treatment and improve survival rates.  

Patients with the most aggressive and fatal form of brain tumour, called glioblastoma, are being offered a detailed diagnosis and tailored treatment plan, based on genomic sequencing. 

In her talk, Dr Vedi spoke about the importance of not just looking at targeted treatments but also reducing therapies where possible – telling the audience, “Obviously, targeted therapies are a part of it but I think reducing therapy is going to be the key.” 

Praising both speakers, ACT’s Chief Executive Shelly Thake, pictured below, said: “What I see in Aditi is someone who rings true of every clinician that I meet in the hospital – someone who is dedicated, committed and someone who wants to go one step further every time for their patients.” 

And of Richard, she said: “The future of patients that get brain cancer and brain tumours is very much more hopeful with the work that you’re doing with your colleagues both locally and globally and that is hugely encouraging.” 

ACT’s President Dame Mary Archer, who was at the Lecture, praised ACT’s ability to invest in promising medical professionals early in their careers and said: “I’m very honoured and proud to be the President of ACT at this momentous anniversary time and I think ACT can be congratulated on spotting Richard’s potential so early on.” 

ACT is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and funds high-tech equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide. This year the charity celebrates its 30th year – and has revealed that in the first 30 years alone its supporters have donated more than £150 million towards supporting innovation in patient care.  

Click here to donate to ACT to help fund ground-breaking research and cutting-edge equipment within our hospitals.

Click here to find out more about the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and to donate.

The heartbroken parents of a special little boy who ‘touched so many people’s lives’ have pledged to raise over £100,000 in his memory for the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital 

Posted on by Danni Smith

The mum and stepdad of a special little boy who ‘touched so many people’s lives’ have pledged to raise over £100,000 in his memory after he died from a rare incurable disease, aged 11, in September last year. 

Elliott-James Heslop, or Elliott as he was known to family and friends, was diagnosed with a rare, incurable disease called TTC7A deficiency when he was just three months old; a condition that causes diarrhoea, inflammation of the intestines, bowel obstructions, immune dysfunction, and an inability to absorb nutrients.   

He had his first surgery at just a few hours old and underwent multiple surgeries to try and fix strictures in his bowel. Unfortunately, these were unsuccessful, and Elliott had to have an Ileostomy. Unable to absorb nutrients in the usual way, Elliott was TPN-dependent from birth, meaning artificial nutrients were given to him via a central line called a Hickman Line.  

Elliott spent the first eleven months of his life in hospital and at just eight months old underwent a bone marrow transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital. 

His condition meant that when he was at his worst, he couldn’t walk very far as it affected his bone density and muscle mass. It also prevented him from joining a football team or going on school residentials. It also restricted what Elliott was able to do in a day as he would need to be home at certain times for his TPN treatment, which also meant the family were not able to go abroad. However, mum Kayleigh Eley and husband, Ross, Elliott’s stepdad, from Cambourne in Cambridgeshire, said Elliott loved trips to caravan parks – and said he went swimming for the first time last year after finding out about a special wetsuit he could wear in the water. 

Despite the impact of his condition, Kayleigh and Ross said Elliott never moaned. 

“He would have his moments like with football, where he would say I wish I could play football, but it would only be the odd comment now and then. He never moaned, he just got on with it,” Kayleigh said. 

Although they always knew Elliott’s condition was incurable, Kayleigh said it was still a shock when he died.

“Even though you know it’s not curable you just kind of live every day and go with it. But we didn’t expect him to go downhill as quickly as he did.” 

It was in December 2023, that Elliott caught the flu, which impacted his liver and meant he needed to be assessed for transplant again. Kayleigh and Ross were told Elliott would be listed for a multi-visceral transplant, but ten days later after Elliott’s condition worsened, he was rushed back into hospital with painful pancreatitis and in July last year, the family were given the devastating news that Elliott’s condition could no longer be treated. Sadly, Elliott passed away in September.   

Kayleigh and Ross, who have three-year-old daughter, Maddison, together, and Scarlett, 15, and Florence, 7, both from previous relationships, set about fundraising to create some special memories with Elliott before his death as well as raise money for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital (CCH), through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT).  

The Cambridge Children’s Hospital is set to be built by 2030 and will be the first specialist children’s hospital for the East of England; the only region in the UK without one. Bringing together clinical excellence from two NHS Trusts with pioneering research from the University of Cambridge, the new five-storey 35,000sqm hospital will be based at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Europe’s largest biomedical campus.   

After writing to Elliott’s favourite football team, West Ham, every day for three months, Ross finally got lucky and both he, Elliott and Scarlett were invited down to West Ham for a training session with the players, where Elliott got to meet one of his favourites, James Ward-Prowse, and walk onto the field as a team mascot.  

Ross – who came into Elliott’s life at six years old – describes himself as a ‘bonus dad’ rather than stepdad and said: “I feel really privileged to have had Elliott in my life. He’s like the son I never had.” 

Kayleigh describes her son as “cheeky, funny, very caring and very sensitive” adding, “So many people have said to me how he really touched their lives. I know he’s amazing because he’s my child and I know how great he is, but he did, he really touched other people’s lives.” 

As for how they are, Ross says: “I don’t think I have accepted it yet because I don’t want to. The worst thing about it is, is that life just keeps on going on around you. It’s the worst pain ever. I’d rather someone chopped off my legs than this. Elliott was my bonus child and the way I feel is the worst feeling ever.” 

Mum Kayleigh said: “People think you are ok but we have to be because we have our other kids. But I still expect to see him sometimes. Sometimes you look and think he is going to be there.” 

Ross said he came off Facebook for six months after Elliott’s death because he found all the memories too painful and says: “Every day is different. Every hour is different.” 

The couple say they remember Elliott as the cheeky little boy who would play pranks on his family, including the time he hid inside Scarlett’s wardrobe and started playing with the LED lights on her ceiling before jumping out to scare her. 

Kayleigh also speaks movingly about Elliott’s best friend who keeps a picture of Elliott in his bedroom and a candle to remember him by and when he has had a bad day, will still call Elliott’s phone to leave a message.  

Ross and Kayleigh say the number eleven has come up a lot in their lives – both before, and since, Elliott’s death aged eleven. When Ross completed a charity walk from his home in Cambourne to the West Ham grounds they arrived at 11am. West Ham also honoured Elliott’s memory by clapping him during a game at the eleventh minute and after moving house recently, they moved to number eleven, with Ross saying – “Elliott will never leave us. Not in a million years.” 

The couple have pledged to raise ÂŁ100,000 for the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital, through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) as a way of thanking Addenbrooke’s for the amazing care Elliott received since birth – describing his consultant, Dr Camilla Salvestrini, as “amazing”.  

Although their target is ÂŁ100,000, Kayleigh and Ross are hoping to boost their target to ÂŁ125,000 so that they can fully equip one of the rooms within the Cambridge Children’s Hospital and have it named after Elliott. 

“We’d love to have something named after Elliott in his memory,” said Kayleigh, “and know that we helped fund something that would be for the whole community. It’s raising money for the next generation of children and supporting all the families that will be going there.” 

Fundraising efforts so far have included the walk from their home in Cambourne to the West Ham football grounds; a children’s sponsored swim; a 30th tea party in July to celebrate ACT’s 30th and a 72-hole golf challenge at Cambridge Country Club earlier this month, with a 9-hole lesson donated by PGA Professional Joel Rickard.  

Ross’ next challenge will be this September, when he and his boss will complete the walk along Hadrian’s Wall over three days, setting out on the 11th. 

Click here to donate to Elliott’s page.

ACT celebrates 30-years of fundraising

Posted on by Danni Smith

A much-loved hospital charity whose supporters have fundraised more than ÂŁ150 million towards supporting innovation in patient care for Addenbrooke’s in the first 30-years of its life has pledged to be even more ambitious in years to come.  

This year, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) celebrates its 30th birthday – with a special look back at some of the ground-breaking projects it has funded.  

Ruth standing in front of Bus

ACT is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals in Cambridge and funds high-tech equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide.  

Since April 2025 alone, ACT has invested over ÂŁ1 million in a range of projects – supporting everything from cutting-edge research and AI, to rehab, mental health and wellbeing, hospital environments, and even family fun days. Since fundraising began 30 years ago, the charity has funded an impressive list of projects, mainly state-of-the-art equipment and vital research. 

The charity’s impact stretches far beyond Cambridge and the East of England – funding early research that impacts beyond Addenbrooke’s. Funding comes not just from fundraisers but from individual donors as well as other sources such as grants and legacies.  

Pledging to continue the charity’s impressive 30 years of impact to date, ACT’s Chief Executive, Shelly Thake, said: “It is amazing to think how far we have come as a charity since our beginning thirty years ago.”

“We were forged out of a hugely successful community fundraising group and it was the forward thinking of this group of fundraisers that brought us to where we are today after they decided that the people of Cambridge deserved the best medical diagnostics and fundraised for the first whole body CT and MRI scanner here in the city. We really do owe them so much – and would not be here today if it were not for their passion and determination.” Read more of their story here.

“We see these same qualities in all our supporters and fundraisers today who work so tirelessly, with such passion and dedication. We are incredibly proud to be part of ACT and will be forever grateful for the support of all our donors and fundraisers who help to make lives better not just for patients but also staff too.” 

“We have achieved so much in the first 30 years of our life and we have even bigger ambitions for the next 30 years and beyond – including our capital campaign to build two new hospitals on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, both of which are a first for the East of England – the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH) and the Cambridge Children’s Hospital (CCH) which will be the first children’s hospital in the world to fully integrate physical and mental wellbeing as part of patient care.” 

Roland Sinker, CBE, Chief Executive of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (pictured right), thanked ACT and all its supporters for their hard work and achievements over the past 30 years. 

“I always think of ACT and its supporters as the silent hero because whilst all of us here at the hospital are aware of, and incredibly grateful for, its financial support, to a patient coming to Addenbrooke’s or the Rosie for the first time, they wouldn’t necessarily be aware of how much the charity and its supporters have done to change not just patient experience at the hospital, but staff experience too.” 

“They have helped fund groundbreaking research which has benefitted patients across the world and provided high-tech equipment which has provided earlier diagnoses and less invasive treatments, saving lives and thousands of pounds for the NHS as well as helping to cut waiting times.” 

“The reality is that every donation made to ACT, no matter how big or small, has a direct impact on staff and patients. So for anyone who has made, or will be making, a donation to the charity that is so close to our hearts, I would like to say a special thank you. Please know that every donation makes a difference.” 

This year, to help ACT celebrate its 30th anniversary, the charity is asking supporters, new and old, to raise a cup (not glass!) and host a tea party for Addenbrooke’s.

Businesses in Cambridge and surrounding areas, served by Addenbrooke’s, are also jumping on board the birthday celebrations by launching their own special products to mark ACT’s 30th.  

Iconic Cambridge institution and bakery Fitzbillies, famous for its Chelsea Buns, launched ACT’s 30th celebrations at their tearooms in Trumpington Street. 

Co-owners Tim Hayward, a food critic and broadcaster, and partner Alison Wright, who won a lifetime achievement award in the Cambridge Independent Business Awards 2024 for rescuing the 104-year-old iconic bakery and cafe, put their weight behind ACT’s 30th because of the ‘world-class’ care Tim received after being admitted to Addenbrooke’s following a medical emergency back in Covid. 

Tim was admitted to hospital in November 2020 with COVID-19 and required treatment using a ventilator and suffered a pulmonary embolism. He was discharged after a month, having spent 14 days in a coma, and later described himself as “lucky to have lived” saying: “I wouldn’t be here without the excellent staff and support of the hospital. Thank goodness for world-class care and the fantastic work of ACT. Long may it continue.” 

Fitzbillies has dedicated a special window display in their Trumpington Street tearooms and during ACT’s birthday month of July, will donate ÂŁ1 to the charity for every ACT chocolate cupcake sold and 20% from sales from their special afternoon and cream tea packs. 

Another Cambridge favourite – Jack’s Gelato – has created a brand-new flavour of gelato to mark the special occasion. Apple Caramel Tart – representing each first letter of ACT’s name. The special flavour can be purchased online during ACT’s birthday month of July with ÂŁ4 from every pint sale donated to ACT. Orders will be available for collection 10am-11pm from the Bene’t St shop between Monday August 18th and Friday August 22nd and 9am-11am on Saturday 23rd. 

Business owner Jack Van Praag, who sells between 10,000 and 30,000 scoops of gelato a week, said: “We are helping ACT because we believe in the incredible work they do to support patients and their families at Addenbrooke’s. We are proud to contribute to their 30th-anniversary celebrations with a special flavour and donation from every tub sold.” 

Hospital staff will get to celebrate ACT’s 30th with their annual staff BBQ on July 2nd, a milestone which this year they share with the Royal Papworth Charity.   

  • If you would like to fundraise for ACT and host a tea party for Addenbrooke’s, you can order your pack here.
  • Afternoon tea party items from the ‘Addenbrooke’s collection’ can be found here.
  • Click here if you would like to donate to ACT 

History of ACT

ACT was born out of two existing charities dating back to the 1990s.  

In 1995, gifts and legacies which had been donated to Addenbrooke’s Hospital over the years were registered with the Charity Commission and managed by the hospital trust as The Addenbrooke’s Charities. Two years later, a new charity called The Fund for Addenbrooke’s was established to raise funds to support the hospital.

In 2005, independent trustees were appointed for ACT with assets from both The Addenbrooke’s Charities and The Fund for Addenbrooke’s transferring to the new trustees, thereby establishing ACT as a charity.                

Retired Professor of Radiology and founding fundraiser says Addenbrooke’s would not be what it is today without financial support of hospital charity

Posted on by Danni Smith

Retired Professor of Radiology, Adrian Dixon, takes a proud look back at being part of a campaigning body of fundraisers in Cambridge that raised an impressive £1 million to buy, and run, Addenbrooke’s first whole body CT scanner – the first for the East of England region.

Known as the Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cancer Scanning Appeal Fund (AHCSAF), the group continued to fundraise for the hospital’s first MRI scanner – raising an impressive ÂŁ1.25 million to purchase the scanner along with the building it was housed in. 

This fundraising body later formed the charity, The Fund for Addenbrooke’s (FFA), which together with assets from The Addenbrooke’s Charities, later morphed into today’s Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, which celebrates its 30th birthday this month.  

Looking back at the group’s amazing achievement, Professor Dixon talks about the importance of fundraising for state-of-the-art equipment and pioneering research for Addenbrooke’s, the value of the NHS, and also shares some of his stories from those early days of fundraising… 

Professor Adrian Dixon, one of the founding members of a fundraising group which later evolved into today’s ACT, first moved to Cambridge back in 1979 – after hearing that the ‘townspeople of Cambridge’ were fundraising for the East of England’s first Body CT scanner for Addenbrooke’s. 

Looking back over a highly successful medical career in Cambridge – which saw him part of a body of fundraisers which brought both the first CT and MRI scanners to Cambridge – Professor Dixon said:

“Patients attending Addenbrooke’s are extremely lucky to have the support of ACT for so many ventures that would not otherwise be possible. And having the best possible radiological equipment provides the best possible quality care.” 

“CT and MRI scanners have completely revolutionised care for cancer patients who previously had very painful and dangerous invasive investigations such as lymphangiography or open surgery to establish the diagnosis. Now cancer can be detected by cross-sectional imaging, often coupled with percutaneous biopsy (for histopathology) under no more than local anaesthesia. Furthermore, the cancer can be staged and followed up after treatment with non-invasive imaging.”  

Explaining the importance of having state-of-the art equipment, Professor Dixon said:

“We have become rather complacent about having some of this amazing equipment but it is important to remember that it is essential for a major hospital to have it. It facilitates top quality research and attracts and retains top quality staff. Furthermore, patients now receive a precise diagnosis in an almost painless procedure which leads to optimal treatment and outcome.” 

As the official hospital charity for Addenbrooke’s, ACT funds high-tech equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide.   

The MRIS department at Addenbrooke’s continues to uphold its reputation as one of the leading departments in the UK – with its GE 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner used as a showcase scanner for GE for other hospitals to visit. Last year the scanner was the first in the UK to be wrapped with nature-themed vinyl, reducing anxiety in patients, resulting in earlier diagnosis and saving thousands of pounds in patient care. 

Professor Dixon, who still lives in Cambridge, qualified as a doctor from the University of Cambridge and St Bartholomew’s Hospital where he was a research fellow in body computed tomography in the 1970s. He helped to introduce Body CT and MRI to Cambridge; these techniques provide sectional images of the body using X-Rays and radiofrequency waves respectively. 

He first moved to Addenbrooke’s in 1979 as a University Lecturer and honorary consultant radiologist and was elected to the Professorship of Radiology in 1994. 

Professor Dixon said it was partly the pull of the fundraising campaign that first drew him to Cambridge, along with the excitement of working with Foundation Professor Sherwood and expert NHS radiologists. 

Joining the body of fundraisers who successfully raised ÂŁ1 million to buy and run Addenbrooke’s first CT Scanner, for the first five years, Professor Dixon joined a group of well-placed committee members helping to make things happen. 

The campaign was the brainchild of John Phillips, a City Councillor and head of a local taxi company who was joined by wife Kathleen (BEM); then mayor, Don Mackay; Tony Durham, editor of the Cambridge News; Head of Police, Bernard Hotson; prominent lawyer Paddy Crossman; Senior Radiologist Dr Duncan Gregg; Alan Shepherd (secretary); with accountant Brian Rata, OBE, amongst others. Dr Gregg generously stepped down to allow Professor Dixon to take over as Medical Advisor on the Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cancer Scanning Appeal Fund (AHCSAF) as he had previous experience of Body CT. 

Just like today’s fundraisers, who give their time and passion so tirelessly to ACT, Professor Dixon said it was the same back then – mentioning the ‘many remarkable local fundraisers throughout East Anglia’ including a lady called Millie Birch – ‘who seemed to know everybody in Suffolk’. Then there were the members of the fundraising committee – ‘who gave their time freely’ – as well as the doctors who donated any private fees back into fundraising (especially the late Dr Charles Freer). 

Fundraisers would spend their nights giving talks across the county whilst holding down demanding day jobs and one story from Professor Dixon’s many memories of the time include Police Chief Bernard Hotson arranging for local police officers to collect donations on the committee’s behalf if no-one was available. 

Some famous faces have also helped boost fundraising along the way too. Jockeys Frankie Dettori and Ray Cochrane were brought to Addenbrooke’s following a fatal plane crash at Newmarket, which sadly took the life of the pilot. After going through CT scanners, both pledged to help fundraise for Addenbrooke’s – and later held a day’s racing at Newmarket, raising ÂŁ100,000 for ACT. 

Professor Dixon’s early group of fundraisers raised over ÂŁ22 million – with ACT itself injecting over ÂŁ150 million in Addenbrooke’s over the past 30 years. 

Looking back at his time with the AHCSAF, Professor Dixon said: “I am extremely proud of being part of the townspeople’s success story and of course it was marvellous for me (and my wife) as a young consultant to meet so many interesting people and make so many good friends.” 

“It is absolutely essential that fundraising continues, particularly for innovative equipment and projects that the NHS cannot possibly afford and it is vital that ACT continues to grow in order to compete with charities that have been going for the last few centuries!” 

Click here if you would like to help ACT to continue in its mission to fund ground-breaking research and state-of-the-art equipment.

Click here to read more of ACT’s story.

Fundraising timeline

  • Professor Dixon moves to Cambridge in 1979 to join the Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cancer Scanning Appeal Fund (AHCSAF) raising money for the hospital’s first full body CT Scanner – the first for the East of England region. 
  • Having hit their target of ÂŁ500,000 (the equivalent to ÂŁ1 million in today’s money), the group was then asked to raise a further ÂŁ500,000 to pay for the running costs for the first five years. 
  • King Charles, then HRH Prince of Wales, opened the Body CT unit in June 1981 (see photo of Adrian with the then HRH Prince of Wales below). 
  • Professor Dixon and his fundraising group go on to raise ÂŁ1.25 million for the City’s first MRI Scanner and building – opened by the HRH Duchess of Kent on 6th October 1987 (see photos of Professor Dixon and Brian Rata with the HRH Duchess of Kent below)
  • HRH the Duke of Edinburgh opens the refurbished MRI Department on 14th June 1995 (photo of Duke of Edinburgh below with Professor David J Lomas) 

Ultra runner raises over £55,000 for pioneering new Cambridge Children’s Hospital after completing the ‘toughest foot race on earth’ 

Posted on by Danni Smith

A keen ultra runner who completed an epic challenge – known as the ‘toughest foot race on earth’ – has raised ÂŁ55,725 for the pioneering new Cambridge Children’s Hospital. 

Ed Tollemache took on the Marathon des Sables – referred to as ‘MDS’ by enthusiasts – in April to fundraise for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), the official charity for Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge which funds high-tech equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide. 

The Marathon des Sables, which translates as ‘Marathon of the Sands’, is an epic challenge comprising of back-to-back ultras in the desert, with distances ranging from 30km-90km per day, for a total of 252 kilometres – the equivalent of six marathons. Choosing to run the toughest of all three MDS challenges – referred to as the ‘Marathon des Sable Legendary’ – Ed carried his own supplies of food and clothing in a rucksack weighing 99 kilogrammes through the blistering heat of the Sahara Desert in Morocco, where temperatures are known to reach as high as 50 degrees centigrade. 

Ed, who spoke about the challenge on ACT’s radio show, ACT’s Amazing People, on Cambridge Radio, said: “They say that 90% of the challenge in the desert is all in your head and the other 10% is the running bit. I did doubt myself at the start. Going into it you worry about getting sick or getting injured, you could turn your ankle and then your event is over, but I didn’t doubt my physical ability and once I’d got through day one, I felt a bit more comfortable with it.” 

Ed, 49, whose family own and run the Helmingham Hall and Gardens in Suffolk, completed the challenge with his cousin Tom, who was running for a mental health charity for ex-military personnel. Between them they raised over ÂŁ100,000 – with Ed raising an impressive ÂŁ55,725 for the pioneering new Cambridge Children’s Hospital (CCH). 

The hospital will be the first specialist children’s hospital for the East of England – and the first in the world to fully integrate treatment of children’s mental and physical health, alongside world-leading research. Children, young people, parents and carers from around the region have been involved in shaping the new hospital, from how it looks and feels to how it cares for patients and their families.  

MDS won its name as ‘the toughest foot race on earth’ because of the harsh environment and high temperatures. Ed, who was 48 at the time of the race, prepared for the heat by training at a specialist centre in London two weeks before leaving – where athletes are put into a heated chamber for an hour and run on a treadmill with a mask, carrying their rucksack. He also ran regularly, completing four hour runs every weekend. 

Ed, who was placed 15th out of 250 in the age 40-50 year-old category, narrowly missed coming in the top 10% overall – having been placed 138th out of a 1,000 runners. 

Asked what some of the worst things were about the challenge, he said lack of sleep. “The tents were very basic canvas covers propped up by sticks and we just had a rug underneath where we lay like a tin of sardines, with seven or eight of us in the tent. There were 1,000 people in camp with 52 different nationalities so the noise was constant but at night, if you did get to sleep, it wouldn’t be long before the wind would change direction and a sandstorm would come through and the sticks would collapse and you’d have to get out of your sleeping bag to prop them back up again. We definitely had three or four nights where we had very little sleep.” 

Competitors had to carry 750 millilitres of water each day – “but I drunk about 12 litres on the first day when we ran 82 kilometres and didn’t go to the loo once.” 

Asked what his luxury items were, Ed said: “Peanut M&Ms because they didn’t melt in the heat – and socks. I took five pairs to get me through, knowing each morning I could put on a nice, clean pair of socks and then bin the other ones.” 

He also survived on dehydrated food – porridge for breakfast and dinner made up of meals with higher calorie content like Spaghetti Bolognese, but because the water wasn’t always boiling, he remembers lots of meals with ‘crunchy pasta.’ Apart from M&Ms, another treat included crunched up salt and vinegar crisps – ‘because your body craves salt.’ 

Asked if he enjoyed the experience, Ed said: “It’s one of those things where you get back and there’s lots of excitement and euphoria and you’re very pleased to have done it and everyone is congratulating you and you’re on a high and it’s often confused with enjoyment, whereas at the time there were definitely periods where we were not enjoying it at all.” 

Memories which remain special, however, include one day when during a brief spell of rain everyone ran with their arms in the air – as well as the beautiful terrain.  

“There were times when you would walk up a dune and you would get to the top and have this incredible scenery. We’d run down sand dunes that hadn’t been trodden on before because the wind changes the direction of the dunes every year, so we were in uncharted territory for several days. That was pretty incredible.” 

During his chat on ACT’s Amazing People, which aired on Sunday 22nd June, presenter Gavin Richards asked about Ed’s well-known Godfather, King Charles. Asked if he had been in touch, Ed replied: “He has written so he knows I’ve done it. I haven’t seen him since I’ve come back but I’m sure that there will be congratulations when I see him next.” 

Also on the show – featuring EXTREME FUNDRAISERS – was Ed’s sister, Selina Hopkins, an ambassador for the children’s hospital with her niece Jenny, who did a daring wing walk to raise over ÂŁ7,000 for the children’s hospital. Strapped by harness to a metal rod, the pair flew at 150 miles an hour, at 1,400 feet. Selina said: “We were blessed with a beautiful day, we could see for miles.” 

Margaret Seaman, a 95-year-old great-great grandmother from Norfolk whose knitting creations of famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and the Sandringham Estate, also featured, raised an impressive ÂŁ300,000 for the children’s hospital.  

Click here if you would like to donate to the public campaign for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

To listen back to ACT’s Amazing People – Extreme Fundraisers – click here or visit Cambridge Radio’s website.

Leading hospital charity launches first radio show to showcase its impact

Posted on by Danni Smith

A LEADING hospital charity has launched its first ever radio show to share all the amazing stories behind its work – which in the last 30 years has seen more than ÂŁ150 million invested in improving patient care at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals in Cambridge. 

Listen to the first episode of ACT’s Amazing People below:

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), which this year celebrates its 30th birthday, is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie and funds cutting-edge equipment, groundbreaking research, and improvements to the environment for both staff and patients, above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide.  

Joining forces with Cambridge Radio, ACT’s Amazing People – which airs on the fourth Sunday of every month – will meet the professionals, caregivers and inspiring fundraisers who help make the Cambridge hospitals such a special place. 

The show, hosted by Gavin Richards, presenter of the station’s weekly Saturday morning show between 10am and 12 noon, and Danni Smith, PR and Communications Lead at ACT (both pictured above), will spend time chatting to guests about their incredible stories, achievements and challenges.  

Guests on the show will include clinicians, researchers and fundraisers – and as part of their appearance on the show each of them will get to pick a personal song of their choice. Episodes will be available via catch up on both the Cambridge Radio website and ACT website, details at the end. 

David Bateson standing outside ACT offices
Fundraiser, David Bateson
Robotic Surgeon, Atanu Pal
Lead Cancer Nurse, Ingela Oberg

The first episode, an introduction to ACT, aired on Sunday 25 May 2025 and featured the inspiring story of fundraiser David Bateson (pictured right), who started fundraising when diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer which was no longer in his body following pioneering immunotherapy treatment.

Also featured is Robotic Surgeon Atanu Pal, who got involved with the ÂŁ1.5 million public appeal to raise money for a new robot for Addenbrooke’s by completing a virtual London Marathon, running a route around Cambridge which spelt the word ROBOT. And finally Lead Cancer Nurse, Ingela Oberg, who spoke about the impact ACT donations have had on cancer services at Addenbrooke’s. 

Introducing the work of ACT, and helping to celebrate the charity’s 30th birthday year, were ACT’s Chief Executive Shelly Thake and Paul White, Director of Communications and Impact. 

“We’re delighted to be joining forces with Cambridge Radio to produce this very special show, celebrating all the amazing clinicians, fundraisers and supporters of our charity,” Shelly said. “It was really special to be part of the first show, and I can’t wait to hear all the inspiring stories I know will be coming our way.” 

Paul said: “We have so many supporters – all of whom make such an impact within the hospitals – that it really is exciting to be able to celebrate them in this way as well talk about our important capital campaign to see two pioneering hospitals built here on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus – the Cambridge Children’s Hospital and the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.” 

Julian Clover, Editorial Lead at Cambridge Radio, said: “Cambridge Radio regularly supports local and national charities through studio interviews, promotional campaigns, and a presence at local events. Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust has so many fascinating stories to tell we thought a regular hour would spotlight some of their essential work”.  

Co-host of the show, Gavin Richards, said: “I’ve interviewed a lot of people connected to ACT on my Saturday show and all of them have such inspirational stories to tell. ACT’s Amazing People will give us the chance to celebrate them even more and I really hope the people of Cambridge and surrounding areas take the stories to their hearts and tune in.” 

June’s ACT’s Amazing People features extreme fundraisers – people who have gone to extreme lengths or put a lot of hard work and dedication into their fundraising to raise large amounts of money for the hospitals.  

Ed Tollemache finishing the Marathon des Sable
Knitter, Margaret Seaman

Guests on the show – set to air on Sunday 22 June at noon – include David Bateson; Ed Tollemache (above) who completed a series of gruelling desert ultras known as the Marathon Des Sables and has raised over ÂŁ55,000 for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital; and creative knitter, Margaret Seaman (above), a 95-year-old great-great-grandmother from Norfolk, whose amazing woolly installations have raised over ÂŁ30,000 for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

Whilst setting up her replica of the Sandringham Estate, Margaret – who has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to the community – found herself having an unexpected private audience with the late Queen Elizabeth. 

To catch up on ACT’s Amazing People, listen below or visit the Cambridge Radio website.