Supporters of Children’s Medical Research Institute come from all walks of life and even from as far afield as Denmark where a generous group of philanthropists have donated $50,000 to Professor Phil Robinson’s Cell Signalling Unit.

The Friendship Society of Australia, New Zealand and Denmark made the donation at the start of 2022 following a long-standing affiliation with Australia and a connection to CMRI’s research.

The Society was originally formed in 1969 and served as a connection between Australia and several Scandinavian countries for residents who had family and friends in these locations. It was founded and run by three men who ran a travel agency and organised trips between the nations.

In 2019 Society President Hanne Bache, based in Denmark, and her Board decided to fold their organisation as those who wished to travel were now organising their own trips.

“It was suggested that we wind up the society and use our assets to do good for others,’’ Ms Bache said. “We used to raise money to send students to Australia and New Zealand for study and we would also hold events and sponsor cultural exchange projects between the friendship countries..

“We really wanted to use the money we had left to create a legacy for the Society, something that would allow us to go back to the members and say: ‘see what good you’ve done’.’’

The Society immediately turned to the devastating bushfires that were impacting NSW and donated money to that cause. They had $50,000 leftover and Ms Bache’s son Dr Nicolai Bache made his own suggestion of a cause that linked Denmark and Australia.

Dr Bache had worked at Children’s Medical Research Institute as a post-doctoral researcher for two years before returning to Denmark. He recalled his time fondly, particularly his work with Professor Phil Robinson who is head of CMRI’s Cell Signalling Unit and who still collaborates with Danish scientists today.

“Nicolai enjoyed his work at CMRI very much,’’ Ms Bache said.

“He remembered when he worked there those researchers always appreciated donations and it could be very difficult to get funding otherwise.

“Phil Robinson was then and still is now very connected to Denmark and our own research and does a lot of collaborations. We knew this was exactly what we should do with the money.

“We knew it would fit hand in glove.’’

In 2021 Professor Robinson was part of an international team who were awarded a $75.m grant from The Lundbeck Foundation in Denmark to study early brain development in health and disease. It is expected that the Australian-Danish scientific interactions will continue for years to come.

CMRI’s Director of Fundraising Robert Wynn said it was very reassuring for our scientists to know that former colleagues, collaborators, and supporters were so passionate about research.

“We are very grateful to The Friendship Society of Australia, New Zealand and Denmark for not only supporting our scientists and their vital work but for investing in future generations.’’