Patrons

Kellie Bright

Kellie Bright Kellie is our newest Patron, joining us in May 2023. Kellie has enjoyed a glittering acting career and has been a prominent part of the BBC’s EastEnders cast for 10 years, playing Linda Carter. “It is an absolute honour to become a Patron of this wonderful charity,” Kellie said. “I have been fortunate enough to be involved with some of the Solving Kids' Cancer UK events recently and, each time, I’ve been reminded of the amazing work the charity does for the neuroblastoma community. Solving Kids' Cancer UK has such a bold and important vision for children affected by childhood cancer and I can’t wait to play my part in achieving that.” Kellie’s involvement with Solving Kids’ Cancer UK began towards the end of 2022 in what she describes as a ‘divine moment’. Kellie was visiting her cousin on the oncology ward at University College Hospital in London and, the following day in a park, she was introduced to a Solving Kids’ Cancer UK member of staff who asked if she would like to support the charity. Kellie immediately said ‘yes’.  Incredibly, Kellie rallied up 22 of her fellow Eastenders cast members to sing and share their time to meet families affected by childhood cancer and supporters at our Christmas Carol Concert.

Rob Brydon

Rob, one of the UK's most celebrated performers, joined as our first charity Patron in 2020, one of the most extraordinary and challenging of years. “I am honoured to be the charity’s first patron; I have had a personal connection to Solving Kids’ Cancer UK for many years and their work is a cause that is very close to my heart. I’m looking forward to supporting their work." Rob has a very personal connection to Solving Kids’ Cancer UK, having supported Matt White, Solving Kids’ Cancer UK Trustee, and his family, when their son Felix was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2009 at the age of 4. Felix sadly passed away when he was just 6, but it is children like Felix and their families that drive the passion and ambition of Solving Kids’ Cancer UK; to bring innovative less toxic treatments for neuroblastoma closer to home, the funding of clinical research, and to provide much-needed support to families from the point of diagnosis.

Carl Cavers

Carl Cavers Carl joined us as Patron in April 2022. He is Chief Executive Officer of Sumo Group and first reached out to Solving Kids' Cancer UK following our call to the gaming community to make a seemingly impossible wish come true for the inspirational young man, Luke. Carl's support at this time helped us to realise this wish for Luke and since then, Carl and Sumo Group have gone on to provide the most incredible support and opportunities to Solving Kids' Cancer UK. “I’m honoured and humbled to be part of the Solving Kids' Cancer UK team and join as Patron of this remarkable charity. The work Solving Kids' Cancer UK do around both researching the disease and around dealing with the impact of treatment is incredible. Solving Kids' Cancer UK is accomplishing so much, and I’m determined to help raise awareness for this deserving charity.” Carl has extensive corporate leadership experience and success and co-founded Sumo Digital in 2003, following a successful career with Gremlin Interactive and Infogames, and the business quickly became a multi-project, multi-genre solution provider, developing award winning titles for every gaming platform. Carl steered the group through multiple management buy-outs and ultimately Sumo Group Plc floated on the London Stock Exchange's AIM in December 2017. Carl received TIGA's coveted Most Outstanding Individual Award in 2015 (TIGA is the trade association representing the video games industry) and he holds an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University.