Action Medical Research
Also known as: Action for the Crippled Child, Action Research, Action Research for the Crippled Child, Arcc, National Fund for Poliomyelitis Research, National Fund for Research into Poliomyelitis and Other Crippling Diseases, The National Fund for Research into Crippling Diseases (known as Action Research), The Polio Research Fund
Action Medical Research is a charity whose objects are to promote medical research into the prevention, management and cure of disabling diseases and conditions. We are a UK-wide charity saving and changing children's lives through medical research. We fund a broad range of cutting-edge medical research most likely to deliver real benefit to babies, children and young people.
Activities & Mission
Action Medical Research is a charity whose objects are to promote medical research into the prevention, management and cure of disabling diseases and conditions. We are a UK-wide charity saving and changing children's lives through medical research. We fund a broad range of cutting-edge medical research most likely to deliver real benefit to babies, children and young people.
Grants
Action Medical Research is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.
- Gives grants to
- organisations
- Grants paid (2025)
- £3,006,199
- Who it helps
- children and young people, people with disabilities and the general public
- What it supports
- education and training, the advancement of health or the saving of lives and disability
As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.
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Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Country
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 6% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 959). How is this calculated?
Higher than 3% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 1% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £7,822,810 | £9,297,461 | £4,322,354 | £6,699,284 | £4,564,210 | 42 / 450 |
| 2024 | £8,180,759 | £8,633,019 | £4,235,461 | £7,125,173 | £7,044,389 | 51 / 480 |
| 2023 | £7,986,085 | £7,974,454 | £3,663,156 | £7,888,497 | £7,828,485 | 49 / 550 |
| 2022 | £6,112,701 | £7,224,790 | £3,645,877 | £6,541,984 | £6,259,468 | 38 / 550 |
| 2021 | £4,452,453 | £5,342,427 | £2,782,682 | £6,804,215 | £6,501,941 | 38 / 764 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Action Medical Research
What does Action Medical Research do?
Action Medical Research is a charity whose objects are to promote medical research into the prevention, management and cure of disabling diseases and conditions. We are a UK-wide charity saving and changing children's lives through medical research. We fund a broad range of cutting-edge medical research most likely to deliver real benefit to babies, children and young people.
How much income did Action Medical Research report in 2025?
Action Medical Research reported total income of £7.82m and reported expenditure of £9.30m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Action Medical Research?
Action Medical Research has a program ratio of 55.3%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 6% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 959 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Action Medical Research registered as a charity?
Action Medical Research was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 12 December 1962 as charity number 208701. It has been registered for 64 years.
Who runs Action Medical Research?
Action Medical Research is governed by a board of 8 trustees. The chair of trustees is Luke George Batchelor Bordewich. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Action Medical Research operate?
Action Medical Research operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.
Is Action Medical Research a registered charity?
Yes — Action Medical Research is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 208701.
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Registry Information
Other notable Beneficiary group charities
Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- Action for the Crippled Child
- Action Research
- Action Research for the Crippled Child
- Arcc
- National Fund for Poliomyelitis Research
- National Fund for Research into Poliomyelitis and Other Crippling Diseases
- The National Fund for Research into Crippling Diseases (known as Action Research)
- The Polio Research Fund
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 9 November 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated