Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund

The Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund (NIKRF) is the leading charity funding kidney research in Northern Ireland.

  • Raise funds for life saving research into the causes, prevention and possible cures for kidney disease.

  • Provide specialised equipment for research and advances in treatment of kidney diseases not yet available from the National Health Service.
  • Be the voice for public awareness of kidney disease and its consequences.
  • Promote Organ Donation.

Patron (since 2004)

Dr J. F. Douglas, MA, BCL, MB, BCh, FRCP

James Douglas graduated with Honours in Medicine at Queens University in 1969.

He was appointed as a consultant in the Belfast Renal Unit led by Dr Mary G (‘Mollie’) McGeown and was associated with the success of her ‘Belfast Recipe’ for renal transplant management pre-cyclosporin era.

He became the first Research Fellow of the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund after his research into acute renal failure.

Following retirement in 2003, he worked as a consultant at Antrim Renal Unit until 2007, and from 2004 to 2022 was an accredited, and later honorary, lecturer at Queens University.

He has published numerous articles in medical and medico-legal journals, as well as (in 2018) co-editing and co-authoring a book on the history of renal services in Northern Ireland.

Dr Douglas has received many awards; most recently he has been made an Honorary Member of the British Transplantation Society.

Paula McIntyre

Ambassador

Chef and food writer Paula McIntyre, MBE

“I am honoured to become Ambassador for this Northern Ireland charity who play such an important part in funding the ongoing research into kidney disease. In accepting the role I am looking forward to combining my passion for cooking and food to highlight diet, which is an important ingredient in the fight against renal disease.”

Ambassador

Hannah Johns, Renal Nurse & Miss Northern Ireland 2024

“I’m honoured to become the newest ambassador for Northern Ireland Kidney Research. Thank you for the opportunity to advocate for advancements in renal health and support those affected by kidney conditions.”

Milestones

1971 Founded in Waringstown by the late Walter and Josephine Kerr MBE

1974 First NIKRF Clinical Research Fellowship awarded to Dr James Douglas (our Patron)

Over 2400 kidney transplants
successfully achieved

NIKRF has funded over 100 doctors, nurses and scientists

£10 million raised to date