Who Are We? - The People Behind Project Rose

I wanted to tell you a little bit about us, who we are and what we do when we aren’t working on Project Rose.  I also wanted to tell you about all the people who have been involved with Project Rose since it started in 2007.

Lizze McLean – Project Rose Founder & Co-ordinator.
I am student at King’s School, Winchester in my final GSCE year.  I started Project Rose when I was 13 to show support my mum.  I like to fence, swim, read, play in my band, help out at Brownies and listen to my ipod.  I don’t have a lot of spare time – but Project Rose is always at the top of my list.

Victoria McLean – Project Rose Co-ordinator.
My mum was just 37 when she was diagnosed and gave up working as a Marketing Manager for a travel company.  She went back to college and is currently studying to be a garden designer.  She is very excited as she has her first two projects!  She helps me out all the time with Project Rose and I think we make a great team.

Tracey Taylor – Corporate Sponsors - John Lewis Southampton
Tracey has been instrumental in getting us the support we needed from John Lewis to get the project up and running.  She has been our number one fan and mum and I love her for it.  She works extremely hard as a community liaison co-ordinator and I have no idea how she fits everything in!

The Team at ITV Fixers
ITV Fixers have been brilliant.  I asked them to help me get the project into more schools for 2009 and they fixed it for me.  I can’t thank the team enough for all their support and getting us on the path to being a national campaign.  They have helped create this website and taken all the film footage that you see.  If you are over 16 and have an idea or project that you would like to get started then check out their website at www.itvfixers.com and become a fixer too.

The Team at Cancer Research UK
After entering and winning the Open Ventures Challenges to find new projects for Cancer Research UK to get involved we are delighted to be supported both regionally and centrally by our Cancer Research Team – including Hazel Bedford (Regional Manager for LSF), Sarah Williamson (Area Volunteer Manager for LSF), Suzanne Ryder-Richardson (Event Development Executive), Clare Cotton (Venture Catalyst) & Kevin Waudby (Head of Innovation).

Open Ventures Challenge, NESTA & MoJo
I would also like to mention a few people involved in the Open Venture Challenge who’ve been incredibly important in getting us to where we are today but are not formally part of Cancer Research UK.  They have each really challenged us in their own way to help us try and be the best we can be.  Oli Watts (OVC Community Manager), Stew McTavish (CEO, mo.jo) and David Simoes-Brown (NESTA)

Imogen Powley - Deloitte
Imogen was our business consultant throughout the Open Ventures Challenge process.  She helped my mum and I develop our business plan to make it the best it could be and made us answer some very difficult questions.  We love her for her enthusiasm, positive ‘can-do’ attitude and her tireless support.

Caroline Holt – Happen – www.happeningworld.com
Caroline was kind enough to come to the innovation camp for the Open Venture Challenge process and spend a whole day helping to define and grow Project Rose.  She showed we could be so much more than we thought with just a little innovation. 

Volunteers for Cancer Research UK
This year we have also been lucky to have Jo and Natasha Cook working on our behalf to engage as many schools and colleges on our behalf.  We can’t thank them enough for all their efforts