Thanks to donations, we have invested over £200,000 to fund the Jeremy Neil Allen Clinical Research Fellowship at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The fellowship gives doctors at Leeds Children’s Hospital a year-long opportunity to receive specialist training at the Leeds Children’s Clinical Research Facility.

Dr James Coley is a Paediatric Trainee and started his Clinical Research Fellow role funded by the charity in September 2024. James is involved in a range of national and international trials giving children with various conditions the opportunity to take part in research.

Current studies at Leeds Children’s Hospital include potential new treatments for neurological disease, supporting research into childhood cancer, and trials for children with cystic fibrosis.  

James also has a role in educating clinical colleagues, including working closely with staff on the Neonatal Unit to support their research and help improve outcomes for some of the hospital’s smallest patients. In addition, he organises emergency clinical training for the children’s research team, and is in the process of organising a research study day in the summer.

We spoke to James about how he’s finding the fellowship so far:

“It can be really difficult for busy clinical teams to find time to prioritise research, and through my dedicated role I can support staff to integrate research into patient care. I love working with our young patients and their families. The children show so much resilience despite the challenges they face with their health conditions, and it’s important to me that we can make their hospital experience the best it can possibly be.

“It’s important that as many departments as possible across Leeds Children’s Hospital give young people the chance to participate in research. Although not every study is going to lead to a breakthrough, every study is like a brick in a wall, helping to build understanding that has the potential to benefit children taking part in trials and future generations of patients to come.”

James has ambitions to become a paediatric respiratory sub-specialist and plans to lead his own research project in the future, he said:

“ For me, this opportunity offers a stepping stone that opens doors to continue research into the future. I’d like to be able to incorporate research alongside a clinical role and champion research whatever department I work in.”

One of the young patients who James works closely with is 11-year-old Austin, who has a condition called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and is involved in a neuromuscular trial at Leeds Children’s Hospital. Austin’s mum Max said:

“Participating in a clinical trial is incredibly important, not only because it offers hope for future generations, but also because it provides a sense of purpose and reward for those involved. The weekly infusions give our son Austin the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research, with the hope that they may help slow the devastating effects of the disease. 

“One of the key reasons for this positive experience is the wonderful, supportive, and kind Clinical Research Team. Austin looks forward to his visits at the Clinical Research Facility, and this is entirely thanks to the team who make him feel comfortable, welcome, and even bring a sense of fun to each visit. They truly deserve credit for making the long 8 hour round trip not only easier but also uplifting and rewarding.”