WellChild Research Projects
Figures from the Association of Medical Research Charities (2004/5) showed that WellChild is the fifth largest investor in children’s health research, with a total of over £20 million awarded to research over the last 30 years. However, there is still so much more to be done and that WellChild are determined to contribute to.
Since it was first established in 1977, WellChild has had a long history of funding innovative and transformational research in many areas of children’s health. This has included supporting the early careers of a number of researchers who have subsequently made significant contributions in their field including Professor Anne Greenough and Professor Giorgina Vergani.
In addition WellChild is delighted to have had a long association with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) with whom they established the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU). This also led to acknowledging the need to advance the education of researchers through Research Fellowships.
WellChild has also provided funding for infrastructure and capital projects at units across the UK, including the development of the Neonatal Unit at King’s College Hospital, London, the WellChild Research Laboratory at Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, the WellChild Pain Research Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London and the Children’s Research Centre at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Current Projects
Screening for asymptomatic Cryptosporidium carriage in susceptible children using immuno-magnetic separation
Dr Angharad Davies, School of Medicine, University of Wales
£69,581.89
The role of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response in the development of diabetes in Wolfram syndrome
Professor Tim Barrett, Diabetes Unit, Birmingham Children’s Hospital
£119,263
MRI Diagnosis in children with Congenital Heart Disease
Dr Reza Razavi and Dr Gerald Greil, Evelina Children’s Hospital
New Projects 2008/9
Improving Core Control of Children with Cerebral Palsy using Virtual Reality Games
Dr Gabor Barton, Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Henry Cotton Campus, Liverpool, L3 2ET
£102,917
Sudden unexpected early postnatal collapse
Dr Julie-Clare Becher, Consultant Neonatologist, Dept of Neonatology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
£8900
Endowed Posts
Professor Georgina Vergani
Professor Anne Greenough
Professor Neil Dalton
