You are here:

Action Medical Research homepage

Published on

Updated:

 A young child wearing a toy nurse's hat and stethoscope stands in a hospital hallway, holding a play blood pressure cuff.
Text: Never give up... on children like Eva

Never give up... on children like Eva

With your help we can develop treatments and cures to tackle rare diseases that devastate children’s lives

Funding vital research

We’re on a mission to save and change children’s lives through medical research, developing treatments, vaccinations and cures.

Childhood cancers

In the UK almost 4,000 children and young people under 25 are diagnosed with cancer every year. We are funding research to try and improve the chances and treatment for children with brain tumours and cancer.

Successes

With the help of all our supporters we have played a significant role in many medical breakthroughs for 70 years, starting with the development of the first UK polio vaccines.

Blue banner with circular photos: a vintage hospital ward, an adult holding a newborn, and a boy smiling at a piano.

Change children's lives forever with a gift in your will

Race The Sun Lake District

Saturday 5 September 2026

Bike, Hike and Paddle through majestic mountains and sprawling lakes in the heart of the beautiful Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Not near the Lake District? We have challenges taking place across the country, from the Lake District to Somerset, there is something for everyone!

Cycling Events

With cycling challenges both in the UK and abroad, there's definitely a challenge waiting for you. From beginners to the very experienced and with routes ranging 20 miles to hundreds of miles, come and join us in the fight for little lives.

Race the Sun

Our triathlon-style Race the Sun series pits teams against each other in a race against the setting sun, competing to bike, hike and paddle around some of the UK's most beautiful locations.

Running

Whether you’re looking for your first challenge or you’re a seasoned runner we’ve got an event for you. We have places in the world’s greatest and best-known events and races.

Latest news

Latest Blog

Latest Video

Join our fight for little lives

Support our vital research

Keep up to date with our latest stories