CSP Charitable Trust paediatric funding opportunity - A healthier tomorrow

The CSP Charitable Trust has teamed up with Action Medical Research (also known simply as Action) to support research into paediatric non-acquired brain injury and paediatric cerebral palsy.

Funding of up to £250,000 will be available for applications made through the Action peer review system.

Applicants must be experienced researchers where the principal investigator is a CSP member.

CSP research and awards officers have worked closely with charitable trustees and the scientific panel to maximise the potential of the research funding for members.

Imogen Scott Plummer, CSP research adviser, said: ‘This is a really exciting opportunity, and the first time that the CSP Charitable Trust has developed a partnership funding agreement with another charity.

She added: ‘We believe that working in collaboration with Action expands the opportunities for research in this area.

It has the potential to build the evidence base through high quality physiotherapy research and will contribute to improving the quality of life for these children.’

None of this, Ms Scott Plummer noted, would have been possible without the incorporation of the Nancie Finnie Charitable Trust.

The CSP Charitable Trust officially absorbed the Nancie Finnie Trust and its assets last year.

Nancie Finnie was one of the first therapists to look at cerebral palsy from a more practical and functional viewpoint.

About Action Medical Research

Action is a UK-wide charity funding vital research to help sick and disabled babies and children. It was founded in 1952 by Duncan Guthrie, in a quest to find a cure for polio.

At the time, the condition devastated the lives of many thousands of children. Early research funded by the charity contributed to the development and rapid adoption of the first polio vaccines.

These eradicated new cases of the disease in the UK.

Since then the charity has developed an extraordinary track record in supporting some of the most significant modern medical breakthroughs.

These have helped save thousands of children’s lives and changed many more.

Examples include: discovering the importance of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent spina bifida; developing the use of ultrasound technology in pregnancy; creating the Matrix Seating System to help support physically disabled children as they grow; and testing the rubella vaccine.

However, despite medical advances hundreds of thousands of sick and disabled children need help in the UK today.

Around one baby in nine needs some form of special care as a result of a difficult birth, a life-threatening condition, or because they were born too early.

Almost 60,000 children have epilepsy and about one child in every 400 is affected by cerebral palsy and can face a lifetime of challenges.

Despite its potential, medical research into conditions that devastate children’s lives is poorly funded in this country.

Action finds and funds some of the best medical research in the world to help babies, children and young people

The researchers are based in children’s hospitals, specialist units and universities. At present, more than £10 million is invested in the work of more than 250 top researchers, working on more than 75 projects across the UK.

The charity funds research into all aspects of child health. Using its acclaimed peer review system, Action considers applications from researchers on a competitive basis.

The aim is to shed light on the causes of disease and disability and to improve treatment and care.

Action’s research includes pregnancy and childbirth, disability, infections and rare diseases in children. fl

How you can help to save children’s lives

Raising money to help fund medical research for children is important and can be fun.

Whatever your ambitions or sporting ability, Action Medical Research offers a variety of fundraising events.

By taking part you will help to fund medical research to tackle premature birth, support children facing a lifetime of challenges caused by disabilities and develop treatments for rare and incurable diseases.

If you’re a cyclist or want to get into cycling you could do one of our RIDE100 events in the UK, which  range from 20 to 30 miles through to a Champion 100 miles.

If trekking is more to your taste, then try the classic Three Peaks Challenge. Teams ascend and descend Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike.

For a more demanding challenge, take part in the Ultimate Three Peaks Challenge where instead of driving between the peaks, you’ll be cycling.

With a few colleagues or friends you could take part in a team challenge, such as Race the Sun – a triathlon-style adventure challenge, or RIDE24, the ultimate 24-hour non-stop relay racing spectacular.

Or how about an overnight PLOD walk – a walking event that runs through the night.

Runners have opportunities to participate in the BUPA London 10k or the Great North Run, raising money to help fund medical research for sick babies and children. Whatever event you choose, support is available.

For more information

• Email: info@action.org.uk Tel: 01403 210406.

• The CSP Charitable Trust has also ring-fenced funds for novice researchers in the area of paediatric non-acquired brain injury and paediatric cerebral palsy.

• CSP members can apply for funding worth up to £20,000.

Author