Help save Nicky’s Life - Support Her Cancer Treatment
Nicky (along with her beloved dog, Merlin) is the Founder and Ambassador of our non-profit, Dog Friendly Dorset constituted group, and Merlin’s Pet Food Banks.
In February 2025, after more than a year of pain and several misdiagnoses, Nicky was given the news: she has Stage 3 lung cancer. She is a non-smoker and her cancer is extremely rare — a form called NSCLC squamous with an EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation.
We are urgently raising £80,000 to fund first line private treatments for Nicky — a combination of treatments that could give her a real chance to survive. She wants to continue to serve our animals and humans in the community she created.
The NHS is unable to provide this combination of treatments that would take Nicky off a palliative route and onto a curative one. This is due to current NICE guidelines and funding restrictions. Approval is still months — or even years — away. Privately the treatments are available. The clinical evidence is in place. Standalone treatment is palliative only. Nicky is running out of time.
This is her only chance. Please help if you can — by donating, sharing, organising events and spreading the word.
Nicky and Merlin on the BBC national news
£36,881 raised of £80,000 target as of 6.12.25 (updated every month)
46% raised so far…
(this includes the Just Giving donations and the separate bank account BACS as well as funds raised through the fundraising link and Patreon link)
Why this matters:
The NHS can offer a palliative treatment to buy her time but there is a curative route beyond this, privately funded oncology options—not currently available on the NHS. According to recent LAURA and FLAURA2 clinical trials. (Please read the evidence for more details).
Part of the funds above are required for specialist and oncology prescribed supportive therapies that help keep Nicky stable on the first of 3 treatments required. Her underlying chronic illness and mutations - means she needs additional support to tolerate and remain stable on this targeted therapy, which on its own is palliative rather than curative. But in combination with further oncological treatments that require private funding (hence this fundraiser) the palliative route would switch to a curative one. It's the combination of treatments that offer survival long-term. Time is running out.
This treatment path offers Nicky a realistic curative route.
Nicky has always been there for others — now she needs us.
Through her work with Dog Friendly Dorset , Nicky has helped countless dogs and pet owners, keeping pets out of rescue centres and supporting families during difficult times. Her compassion and tireless dedication have made a real impact in our community.
Now it’s time to give back.
Merlin needs his mum. We all do.
Please click the DONATE heart button (a separate fund held for Nicky by non-profit Dog Friendly Dorset).
Every donation, no matter the size, brings Nicky closer to the treatments she urgently needs. (Money raised minus payment processing fees will all go to this cause. If you are a friend of Nicky’s and don't want third party fees taken off your donation, please donate to her separate bank account specifically for these funds on BACS ).
BACS payment into Nicky’s separate fundraising Account: Lloyds Bank, Miss N Crowe, 77-50-22, 57159968 (no fees)
There is also a JUSTGIVING fundraising page (the last one expired and total has been recorded. The new page has been launched.)
Donate Monthly option: through Nicky’s Patreon page should you wish to donate monthly to continue your support and receive updates about Nicky’s health on a protected and private platform for donors only.
Please click the heart button to donate. Help us give Nicky the chance she deserves. This is separate fund held by Dog Friendly Dorset Constituted Group for Nicky’s curative route.
Nicky’s biggest role in life is being mum to Merlin, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
She is determined to fulfil her motherly duties and be there for him and she wants to live life for herself and be healthy and strong and to continue to be of service to animals and humans.
Together, Nicky and Merlin have built a community of 31,000 members at Dog Friendly Dorset with the sole purpose to help dogs and animals. And evolving this community into a non-profit organisation 3 years ago - making a lasting impact.
Nicky and Merlin love spending time within and connecting to nature especially to our Dorset sea (Mama Cocha)
Nicky’s work opening 12 Pet Food Banks across Dorset with co-founder Samantha Taylor and an amazing volunteer team at Dog Friendly Dorset.
Nicky has done cold water sea swimming for 3 years to raise funds for our Pet Food Banks along with organising many other fundraisers, events and personal involvement, rolling up her sleeves, to set-up the Pet Food Banks. She has made contacts and networks and built a team of exceptional volunteers to make this all possible.
Image credits: Sophia Bella Photography, Sobo Dog Photography and A Billion Clicks Photography