Manchester agency joins Lineker-backed network to transform childhood leukaemia treatment
Manchester-based brand and digital agency Ultimate has joined Club 10 – Cure Leukaemia’s national business network funding life-changing research for children with blood cancer. The initiative has the backing of charity patron Gary Lineker OBE, whose son George survived the disease.
What is Club 10?
Club 10 brings together regional businesses to fund the ATICUS Paediatric Transplant Trials Network. The programme, delivered across eleven leading children’s hospitals, gives young patients access to pioneering treatments that would otherwise be out of reach. The network requires £1 million annually to operate, and the help of businesses plays a vital role in sustaining its work.
Cure Leukaemia Chief Executive James McLaughlin said: “Club 10 members are powering the push to bring us closer to a cure. Every business that joins today becomes part of this historic journey.”
Gary Lineker OBE’s patronage came after his son George was diagnosed with leukaemia as a baby and survived following early treatment. Lineker has since used his platform to support research efforts and encourage others to get behind the cause.
Ultimate’s partnership with Cure Leukaemia
Ultimate’s founder, Matt Townsend, first teamed up with the charity in 2021 when he cycled the full Tour de France route as part of the Tour 21 challenge, helping raise over £1 million. More recently, the agency completed a full rebrand and website transformation for Cure Leukaemia, supporting the charity’s long-term ambitions.
Now joining Club 10, Ultimate has already surpassed its £10,000 contribution and is aiming to double that figure within the next year. This supports the charity’s wider goal to raise £100,000 across Greater Manchester.
To mark the start of their Club 10 journey, Ultimate this month hosted a Christmas concert at their Campfield office space in Manchester, raising £662 and bringing together local businesses to champion the cause.
Matt Townsend said: “We couldn’t be more proud to support Club 10. When leukaemia is cured, we’ll be able to say we were part of that fight. We hope we can inspire other Greater Manchester businesses to step up and get involved!”
What’s next?
Club 10 is expanding across Manchester and the North West, with members including Ultimate, Booths and 20 Stories.
Businesses that join gain access to insights from clinicians, patient stories and networking opportunities with like-minded leaders who want to use their influence for good.
Smaller companies are invited to team up through the “Club Together” initiative to reach a shared £10,000 goal.