SPARKS Profile

SPARKS’ aim is to help all children to be born healthy and stay healthy.

We fund pioneering research that has a practical, positive impact on the lives of babies and children.

The importance of our work is summed up by one startling statistic: around 80% of pioneering paediatric medical research at hospitals and universities in the UK has to be funded by charities like SPARKS. It’s this knowledge that motivates the small dedicated team at SPARKS.

Since 1991, SPARKS has funded 132 medical projects in the UK, committing over £10 million to tackle conditions as diverse as cerebral palsy, meningitis, the dangers of premature birth, spina bifida childhood arthritis and cancers.

Founded and supported by top personalities in sports and entertainment, SPARKS fundraising activities range from neighbourhood coffee mornings, school fun runs and local 5-a-side soccer cups to star-studded gala balls, golf days, clay shooting, polo tournaments and fashion shows.   Remarkable SPARKS supporters have even been known to walk and cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End and row across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Dedicated individuals, corporate partners and celebrities are united by a single common goal: raising the money that brings health, hope and happiness to the lives of babies and children and those who love them.

But no matter how remarkable the efforts made on our behalf, we at SPARKS are acutely aware that we will always run out of money before we run out of deserving medical research projects seeking our help.  That’s a gap we’re determined to bridge … but only YOU can make it possible.

As Professor John Wyatt from University College London explains, "Thanks to SPARKS, every day doctors are carrying out vital research to improve the health of children in the UK and across the world.  SPARKS plays a crucial role in supporting the highest quality medical research for children and without the help of our fundraisers and donors this would not be possible."

As Sally Gunnell OBE – SPARKS Patron and mother of two says, “ It’s heartbreaking how many children in Britain today, still won’t grow up to enjoy the thrill of being able to run or even walk properly. I’m committed to SPARKS’ mission of funding medical research that helps our babies to be born healthy and stay healthy. It’s a race we have to win."

You can help to ensure that children are given the greatest gift of all – the chance of a healthy life.

Who’s Who at SPARKS

SPARKS Fundraising Staff

Project Manager                                            Charlotte Minoprio

Director Golf Development & Partnerships       Andy Robinson

Head of Communications                                 Paul Connew

Communications Manager                               Tara Mallett

Head of Fundraising                                        Helen Farquharson

Head of Events                                       Cassie Down

Events Manager                                               Clare Lewis

Events and Fundraising Coordinator               Paul Munro

Events and Fundraising Coordinator             Michael Creighton

 Head of Corporate Fundraising                       Colleen LaFontaine

Events & Corporate Manager                           Leo Hopkins

Events & Office Manager                                 Caroline Hughes

Head of Golf Events                                         Sean Kelly

Golf Events Manager                                       David Barker

Trusts & Donations Manager                           Fiona Turner

Financial Controller                                       Greg Brown

List of SPARKS Patrons