Solving Kids’ Cancer UK launches Development Board to grow fundraising and strengthen community support

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Development Board, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening our fundraising efforts and expanding support for our work. Made up of a group of dedicated professionals, including individuals personally affected by neuroblastoma, the volunteer board members will play a crucial role in helping the charity make an even greater impact on the lives of children and families facing this devastating disease.

In today’s challenging economic climate, fundraising has become more difficult, especially for small charities like ours. With the cost-of-living crisis affecting many, donations have become harder to secure, but despite these challenges, we remain dedicated to our mission of helping those affected by neuroblastoma. The Development Board will be key to taking our fundraising efforts to the next level by drawing on the personal and professional networks of its members. By leveraging these connections, the Board will help us build relationships, identify new fundraising opportunities, and grow our community of supporters, ensuring that we can continue funding potentially lifesaving childhood cancer research and providing vital support to families.

As a parent-led charity, members of the neuroblastoma community are embedded at every level of our work, and the Development Board is no different. Several of our Development Board members have experienced firsthand the devastating impact neuroblastoma can have on families, and they understand the critical importance of the work we do at Solving Kids’ Cancer UK. Their personal experiences bring invaluable perspective and drive to the Board, helping ensure that our fundraising efforts are always focused on what truly matters – improving outcomes for children affected by neuroblastoma.

Gail Jackson, CEO of Solving Kids’ Cancer UK, welcomes the Board:

“We’re thrilled to welcome our new Development Board members, who each bring valuable professional experience and personal insight to the team. Their commitment to Solving Kids' Cancer UK is inspiring, and we look forward to working together to raise vital funds for groundbreaking childhood cancer research and our family support services. We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from the neuroblastoma and business communities, and the formation of this board is a testament to that. Thank you to our new members for volunteering their time and expertise to help create our shared vision of a future where no child dies from neuroblastoma or suffers due to its treatment.”

Meet our founding Development Board members:

Carl Cavers OBE 

Development Board Chair
Carl joined Solving Kids’ Cancer UK as Patron in 2021 and later became a member of our Board of Trustees in 2023. He is Chief Executive Officer of Sumo Group, an international videogame business which has its headquarters in the UK. Carl has extensive corporate leadership experience and success and co-founded Sumo Digital in 2003 following a successful career with Gremlin Interactive and Infogrames.

Abi Solieri

Abi first became involved with Solving Kids’ Cancer in November 2021, when her 5-year-old daughter Arianna was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Arianna, who is now 8 years old, completed her treatment in January 2024 and is now on the bivalent trial in New York City. Abi has been an events director for over 13 years and is committed to leveraging her professional experience to support children battling neuroblastoma.

Cassie Leaver

Cassie first became aware of Solving Kids’ Cancer when her daughter Jocelyn (Jossie) was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma in 2017. After over two years of treatment and multiple relapses, tragically, Jossie passed away in October 2019. Following Jossie’s death, Cassie returned to work as a lawyer but now manages business development for a dispute resolution practice in London.

Garrett Fitzgerald

Garrett first became involved with Solving Kids’ Cancer UK after his youngest child Ren was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma in July 2018 at thirteen years old. Ren successfully completed frontline treatment and is now thriving and studying creative writing at JM University in Liverpool. Garrett’s professional background spans almost forty years, primarily in senior management roles within the food industry. Since 2022, Garrett has been working as a business advisor.

Marina Nikoloska

Marina has been a Relationship Manager at wealth management company and Solving Kids’ Cancer UK’s charity partner, Julius Baer International, since 2023. Prior to this she spent 12 years with UBS Wealth Management in London, having started her career at Coutts and Co.

Padmesh Thuraisingham

Padmesh first reached out to Solving Kids’ Cancer UK in 2019 when his daughter Odile was diagnosed with neuroblastoma shortly after birth. Despite some early setbacks, she made a full recovery and is now thriving. Padmesh currently heads technology for the Capital Markets division of JLL, one of the global leaders in commercial real estate. 

Patrick Harney

Patrick first became involved with Solving Kids’ Cancer UK in December 2017 when his son Mikey was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma at just 20 months old. Patrick is a Partner in Mishcon Private. A market leading international private client lawyer who has worked in Dublin, London and New York, Patrick specialises in cross border tax advice with a particular focus on US-UK and UK-Irish tax, trust and estate planning and UK resident non-domiciled tax planning.