Alternative Hair Charitable Foundation

The Alternative Hair Charitable Foundation, established in 2012 by Tony and Maggie Rizzo in the UK following the tragic loss of their child to leukaemia in 1983, is a grant-making trust dedicated to combating childhood leukaemia and blood cancers. Inspired by the global hairdressing community's Alternative Hair Show—a flagship fundraising event that has raised over £15 million—its mission focuses on advancing research, treatments, and family support to eradicate these diseases in young lives. Core values of compassion, generosity, and collaboration uniquely harness the creative hair industry for impactful philanthropy, fostering long-term partnerships with sponsors and artists.

It prioritises tightly focused funding for pioneering medical research (e.g., relapse studies and less toxic treatments at University College London), improved treatment protocols, access to medicines, vital medical supplies, and child-centred care for affected families. Beneficiaries are primarily children with blood cancers, with grants supporting world-leading UK institutions like Blood Cancer UK, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, and The Royal Marsden, as well as international efforts in resource-poor settings such as Ethiopia, Cameroon, Malawi, and Myanmar via partners like World Child Cancer.

Unsolicited applications are not accepted; funding goes exclusively to pre-selected expert organisations with proven credentials in paediatric blood cancer, with no specified entity types, income limits, or geographic restrictions beyond mission alignment. Typical grants range from £10,000 to £65,000 (e.g., £63,000 to Blood Cancer UK, £20,000 to World Child Cancer), awarded adhoc by trustees without public deadlines or forms. It excludes general health initiatives, unrestricted support, or unrelated causes, distinguishing itself through industry-driven, outcome-focused giving that bridges UK excellence with global equity in childhood cancer care.