On 30 January 2007 MPs Tobias Ellwood and Jenny Willott visited a pioneering cancer research laboratory.
They toured laboratories and saw at first hand how basic research, aimed at understanding how normal cells in the body become cancers, is providing a foundation for developing new and more effective ways of preventing and treating the disease.
Tobias and Jenny met with Doctor Nancy Hogg, Head of the Leukocyte Adhesion Lab, who talked about her research, and Richard Davidson, Cancer Research UK’s Director of Policy & Public Affairs who discussed the current issues facing the charity.
Cancer Research UK is the leading funder of cancer research in the UK. It funds the work of 3,500 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK in more than 35 towns and cities across the UK. The charity employs its own scientists as well as supporting grant-funded researchers in UK universities, medical schools and institutes.
Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers, founded by Lord Ashcroft KCMG, Chairman of Trustees, is the only charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. It was set up in 1988 to break the wall of silence that surrounds most crime and that criminals exploit to avoid arrest. The anonymous number (0800 555 111) provides a lifeline to people who have information that they want to share but feel at risk from retribution. We have created a highly effective system built on integrity and trust that works for everyone – except criminals. Crimestoppers also runs the Most Wanted website www.mostwanted-uk.org where people can give information anonymously about suspected criminals across the UK.
Link to Crimestoppers website
The Children’s Society
The Children’s Society, founded and operating on Christian values, is one of England’s most active and rapidly expanding children’s charities. Working mainly with children at risk on the streets, children in trouble with the law, young refugees and disabled children, we operate around 60 projects throughout the country and employ over 700 specialist staff. We work directly with 50,000 children each year, while our research and campaigning helps create a better world for thousands more.
Link to The Children’s Society web site
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading independent organisation
dedicated to cancer research.We are the UK’s leading cancer charity and
are the largest single funder of cancer research in the UK. We are
funding research into all aspects of cancer, ranging from understanding
the causes and biology of the disease through to developing new ways to
prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. We are also investigating ways to
improve the quality of life of cancer patients and support their
families. Our vision is, “Together we will beat cancer.”
Link to Cancer Research UK web site
MP Team Constituency Charities
Tobias Ellwood: Life Education Dorset
Tobias Ellwood MP has chosen to support Life Education Dorset through Westminster Challenge. Life Education Dorset is an independent and self supporting branch of a national charity working with schools and the community to help children between the ages of 3 and 11 make informed healthy choices. We are the only organisation that supports schools in meeting national curriculum and government guidelines for health and drug education to children of primary
school age.
Link to Life Education Dorset website
Jenny Willott: Ty Hafan
Jenny Willott MP has chosen Ty Hafan as her constituency charity. Ty Hafan, the children’s hospice in Wales is located in its own grounds on the banks of the Channel in Sully to the west of Cardiff. It was purpose built and opened in January 1999 to provide help and support for 300+ families living in Wales where one or more of the children suffer from a life limiting illness.
Link to Ty Hafan website
Nick Clegg: Whirlow Hall Farm Trust
Nick Clegg MP has chosen to support Whirlow Hall Farm Trust through Westminster Challenge. Whirlow Hall Farm Trust is a unique environmental and educational charity. Each year it provides an outstanding learning and developmental experience for up to 10, 000 children, many from disadvantaged backgrounds and young adults with disabilities and special needs from inner city areas. It offers a classroom in the countryside.
Link to Whirlow Hall Farm Trust website
Ed Vaizey: Oxfordshire Community Foundation
Ed Vaizey MP has chosen to support the Oxfordshire Community Foundation through Westminster Challenge. The Oxfordshire Community Foundation was established in 1995 to raise funds locally to support the work of local voluntary groups. New funds from a wide range of companies and personal contributions are pooled in a growing permanent endowment, which generates income to support a constructive programme of local grant making in perpetuity. OCF performs 2 main functions: Donor Services and Grant Making. This simple structure allows wealthy families and successful businesses to maximise the impact of their donations, with a focus on future sustainability.
Link to Oxfordshire Community Foundation website
Emily Thornberry, The Children’s Society
Emily has chosen to support The Children’s Society which is based in her constituency, Islington South and Finsbury. The Children’s Society works with over 50, 000 children and teenagers in 60 projects, helping isolated and vulnerable young people who face life’s harshest challenges.
Link to The Children’s Society web site
