Booths Charity Partnerships

We are supporting blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia by funding a Haematology Research Nurse position, based at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, which will benefit blood cancer patients across Lancashire and Cumbria.

We’ve pledged to fund the role for a minimum of two years.

What do research nurses do?

Research Nurses help connect patients to potentially lifesaving medicine and their role in administering clinical trials is vital to developing effective new treatments for blood cancers.  As a result, patients have access to new treatments, allowing them access to lifesaving new therapies.

Most recently in the role Research Nurse Denise says,

The funding from Booths for my role as Cure Leukaemia research nurse at Blackpool teaching hospitals has already made an enormous difference. Our focus is to ensure that all Leukaemia research trials are available to our patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria and increase recruitment to these important trials to make a difference for Leukaemia patients and their families. Having a lead nurse for Leukaemia trials allows the rest of the haematology research team to focus more on other blood cancer trials, such as for lymphoma and myeloma. These trials can be complex, it takes a whole team to be involved as well as clinical areas, so having the right number of staff in this area is vital if we want our communities to be able to have the option to take part.

Being involved with patients at what must be one of the hardest and most uncertain times of their lives is something that I do not take for granted, an essential part of my role is working with trials units, consultants, the patient and clinical areas ensuring that I can do my best to make their research journey as smooth as possible. It is important that all types of data are gathered to inform us of outcomes for the patient, that data is then used and analysed to gather the best evidence to inform future care at a National, sometimes global level. Of course, we have an amazing team across our whole haematology unit and within the research department, research is an addition for our patients who already receive high-quality care.

Nigel Murray, Managing Director, explained:

Funding a local and dedicated leukaemia research nurse in Blackpool is something we are incredibly proud to do. Dedicated research nurses play such a vital role in medicine, their role in administering treatment, supporting the patients and giving wider and crucial insight in how a patient copes with treatment is invaluable. By helping to fund this position, it means that the Blackpool and Lancashire area have a much greater propensity to treat a wider range of leukaemia for patients and their families to go through, in what are quite difficult treatment processes.

Dr Paul Cahalin, Consultant Haematologist, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals commented:

The benefits cannot be overstated. We can’t overstate how grateful we are to the Booths team, and the generosity of Booths customers. Raising money in the local communities where our patients live is important. Accessing treatments locally helps patients and families lead more normal lives while they receive treatment, being nearer to home makes a real difference to their overall well-being and quality of life.

To have the ability to have an exclusively leukaemia-based nurse that is guaranteed for the next two years is wonderful and will not only improve the staffing levels within our research team but will give that security and understanding that leukaemia research is so integral to the work that we do here in Blackpool.

James McLaughlin, Chief Executive at Cure Leukaemia added,

We are thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Booths and are incredible excited about increasing Cure Leukaemia’s national footprint further with the addition of Blackpool Hospital. The support of Booths has been invaluable to the charity over the last two years and we can’t thank Nigel, Edwin and their team enough. Dr Cahalin leads an inspiring team who are providing lifesaving support for blood cancer patients across the Lancashire and Cumbria area and we are excited to see what they can achieve over the next two years.

In 2024, Booths has entered into a 3-year strategic partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, helping to support the organisation’s goal to Make Allergy History.

Nigel Murray, Booths Managing Director, says:

At Booths we see it as our responsibility to support the work being carried out by Tanya, Nadim and the team at Natasha’s Foundation. The potential to improve the daily lives of so many is significant, and the recent update from The Natasha Clinical Trial was promising.

Natasha’s Foundation was set up in 2019 by Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse after their daughter Natasha died aged 15 from a severe allergic reaction to sesame.

Through campaigning, education and research, the charity’s mission is to make allergy history, starting with food allergy, and improve the lives of the millions of people in the UK with food allergies.

The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation is the only allergy charity dedicated to medical research. It wants to understand what is causing the dramatic rise in allergic disease — and develop ways to prevent, treat and ultimately eradicate it, creating a world that is safe for everyone.

Booths’ support is helping the charity to carry out critical medical research such as The Natasha Clinical Trial which is already transforming the lives of children living with food allergies.

The Natasha Clinical Trial is pioneering medical research that the charity hopes will allow children with food allergies to live without the fear of a potentially fatal reaction. The trial uses daily doses of everyday food products, taken under strict medical supervision, rather than expensive pharmaceuticals to train the bodies of children and young people with food allergies to tolerate an allergen. Some children on the trial are now able to consume and tolerate the very foods which previously would have triggered a severe allergic reaction.

Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, co-founder of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, says:

The unprecedented rise in allergic disease over the last 30 years means there has never been a more important time to understand what is fuelling the global allergy epidemic. That’s why we are delighted that Booths are joining us in the fight to #MakeAllergyHistory. Their support is funding the important work we are doing to raise awareness of food allergies and carry out new scientific research.

Read more about The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation on their website by tapping here.

Booths are proud to support Lancashire Mind’s Virtual Wellbeing Coaching for children and young people. Free online sessions are available for any child or young person living in Lancashire between the ages of 10-18, designed to equip them with skills to improve and manage their mental health and wellbeing.

The coach works with the young person to identify areas that are causing them difficulty, support them in goal setting and develop positive coping strategies. Each 1:1 interaction is tailored to need and age, with the aim is to empower the young person to overcome barriers and improve their wellbeing. We are entering our third year of partnership, enabling Lancashire Mind to support more young people with their mental health in Lancashire.

Ang Martin, who manages the link between Booths and Lancashire Mind said,

I lost my father to suicide over 25 years ago when I was a teenager and there was very little support available at the time.  It is a subject very close to my heart so I was thrilled that Booths were able to make a real difference to young people by funding the Virtual Wellbeing Coaching for children and young people.  Hearing about the change in mindset once the young people have been through the coaching process is really heartening and it is great to be able to share with the team at Booths what a difference we are making in our communities through this funding.

How Did it Make A Difference in 2024/2025?

• 90 young people accessed Virtual Coaching between April 2024 and March 2025
• 100% of young people said they felt listened to
• 93% of young people said they found the coaching service useful
• 99% of young people said they managed to achieve their goals
• 92% of young people have said that their wellbeing has improved
• 100% of young people have said they feel more confident managing their wellbeing

Young people who accessed the service were asked “What difference has coaching made to you?” and they said:

I think it has made me more confident about myself and speak about things properly with someone who has struggled with things before. I think it has made me speak up for myself a little bit more as I have found myself in situations where I can now stand up for myself and speak about how I feel.

I think coaching was good to take time to talk to somebody about it. Feeling more confident and that high school is going to be better than what I thought it would be.

I think it was really good cause it helped me feel more confident and better. It has made quite a big difference- don’t get as many sad or bad thoughts anymore and when I do I am able to think of positive thoughts.

I have liked virtual coaching, it is a good hour that I can focus on my mental health instead of school. The difference it has made to me- A lot better, at first I was scared of meeting new people but now I have the confidence and not shy if I haven’t seen new people. A new student has started and I have had the confidence to talk to her.

I have enjoyed it. It has helped me a lot, I didn’t used to have any confidence but now I have built some up by having the sessions with Hazel.

It’s been amazing, its helped me so much. I am growing as a person. Since the start, 2 months ago, it has improved massively, I have made friendships, developed as a person. I have reduced my anxiety attacks and I only have had 1 since we have started.

It’s helped me to feel less alone. I feel like I can understand myself better. I feel listened to. Coaching has helped me through a really tough time and has helped me find ways to be able to cope in the future. I feel like harmony has really understood me. I’ve recently been diagnosed as autistic and I feel like I’ve been listened to in a none judgemental way. I feel like harmony has helped me believe in myself more and has helped me to feel like I do deserve the support and she has helped me to realise that it’s okay to have not so good days. I am now able to find coping strategies if I need a bit more support. I am also more aware of what mental health actually is as it’s the definition isn’t actually talked about that often. I feel like I am able to be myself more without the fear of being judged. Harmony has helped me to explore my goals and has helped me learn more things about myself. I appreciate everything she has done for me and all I can say is what an amazing experience I have had. I wish all services were like this.

Find out more and access the service by tapping here.

Founded by HM King Charles III in 2010 while he was The Prince of Wales, The Royal Countryside Fund empower family farms and rural communities to ensure their future. Over the past 15 years, The Royal Countryside Fund has invested more than £12m in more than 500 projects working across the UK which improve service provision in rural areas, support farming businesses and rural enterprises, and provide training opportunities for young people. 

Booths have been founding supporters of the RCF since day one and have worked to connect their customers with the work of the RCF and share the challenges faced in rural communities.

In our Café 1847 locations this summer, we’re donating £1 for every Signature Café 1847 Breakfast or Café 1847 Vegetarian Breakfast sold to The Royal Countryside Fund to celebrate their 15^th Anniversary of raising valuable funds to be invested in local rural communities.     

Edwin Booth, Chairman of Booths and a trustee of The Royal Countryside Fund said,

Since our foundation in 1847 we have been able to source delicious food & drink from rural businesses in the North West.

In 2010, I together with members of Business in the Community (BITC) were in a conversation with the Prince of Wales who expressed the heartfelt desire to create fund to support the countryside in remote rural areas. Since that moment Booths have committed to supporting many initiatives that the fund supports as well as through our relationship with local suppliers.

I have been personally involved with the fund since its foundation and witnessed the benefits enjoyed by small fragile communities, family farms and aspiring young farmers who will become the bedrock of these important contributors to rural life. The countryside as we know it doesn’t just happen. It is shaped by the hard work of resilient communities, many of whom have been helped by the RCF.

What Has The Royal Countryside Fund Done In Booths Country? 

Alex Main – Farm Resilience Programme, Cumbria

When we heard about The Royal Countryside Fund and the Farm Resilience Programme, we were really uncertain about what the future was going to bring,

said Alex Main, who runs a multi-generational family farm with his parents and girlfriend Victoria in north Cumbria.

Alex credits the programme for not only providing practical steps, but for helping to change his mindset and approach to farming.

Joining the Farm Resilient Programme has made a huge difference. We’re looking at the farm in a more business-minded way. Before we just did what we did because that’s how it had always been done, but now we’re looking at it to try and be smarter and more efficient with how we run things.

Since 2016, The Royal Countryside Fund’s resilience programmes have supported over 4,000 family farms like Alex’s across the UK.

Grange Over Sands Community Foodshare

Grange Over Sands Community Foodshare is a group set up to tackle poverty, reduce social isolation and increase wellbeing by saving surplus food from going to waste by sharing it. The organisation rescues waste food and provide people with food, support and community connection with its weekly food clubs.

In 2025, the organisation was awarded £22,430 by the RCF to expand its ‘food waste spiral’ approach, addressing food insecurity, climate change, and build community bonds in South Cumbria.

We are so grateful for the funding and support of The Royal Countryside Fund, which has made such a difference to our rural community, from local families to people experiencing homelessness,

said Rahina Borthwick, Project Coordinator at the organisation.

We’ve been able to help so many people through financial hardship and tough times by providing food support, help back into work and person-centred community care.

Field Nurse — Lancashire and Yorkshire

Established in 2016, Field Nurse is a local organisation which works with farming communities providing basic health checks and a friendly face to chat to, signposting them to appropriate services in order to improve their mental and physical health.

Farmers and their community are well known for their stoicism and many feel that illness is something that you get on with and that it takes second place to running the business and keeping the farm going,” said Heather Harrison, a member of the Lancashire Field Nurse team. “Farming is a stressful business with long hours worked in isolated communities. There is often a negative perception of physical and mental health issues which can create a barrier to accessing help. We’re really trying to change this stigma.

Since 2021, The Royal Countryside Fund has provided over £40,000 to Field Nurse, enabling them to carry out their activities in rural communities across the North of England.

The future looks promising,

said Heather.

We hope to be able to continue to work within our rural communities and to be able to expand the number of people we can help and support.

Visit The Royal Countryside Fund’s website to find out more by tapping here.