Wednesday, 03 December 2025
A dedicated fundraiser and breast cancer survivor has donated a specially designed garden to the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre (NBCRC).
Alice Greaves, 27, from Leicestershire, who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer aged just 24, has already raised £60,000 to fund vital research in the NBCRC at the University of Nottingham, and has now donated a beautiful ‘breast cancer’ garden to be housed on the University Park Campus.
Alice, together with her dad David, of David Greaves Landscape Design and Construction, originally devised the idea to create a breast cancer themed garden for the Belvoir Castle Flower Show to raise awareness of the disease and to raise funds for breast cancer research at NBCRC. They now want the garden to be permanently housed at the University.
Alice talks to BBC East Midlands Today at the garden opening
Alice spoke to BBC East Midlands Today about the opening of the garden: “I have had lots of (social media) followers ask when it will be open, and when they can go down. I think it just gives people space and time for them to reflect on the journey they’ve been on, or if they have lost a loved one, it’s just really special.”
Libby and David Greaves of David Greaves Landscape Design & Construction, Libby’s parents and designers of the garden, said: “We have enjoyed designing and creating this space in support of our amazing daughter Alice and initially to raise funds for NBCRC at Belvoir Castle Flower Show and now for the NBCRC staff to continue to enjoy, we had some generous donations from our suppliers and we as a company have been honoured to supply and create such an amazing space.”
The NBCRC was launched in 2018, and brings together over 100 scientists, researchers and clinicians who are working in a fight against the disease. The centre focuses on three key areas: Improve Diagnosis, Stop the Spread, and Treat it Right.
Nottingham has a long and successful history when it comes to researching breast cancer, the Nottingham Grading System was developed by Professor Ellis and colleagues at the University and is instrumental in understanding the aggressiveness of breast cancer diagnosis through accurate ranking criteria. This system is acknowledged as the international gold standard for histological classification and is recommended by the World Health Organisation and other key health organisations.
The Nottingham Prognostic Index was also developed in the 1980s by dedicated researchers at the University who were determined to improve patient prognostic outcomes. Through this breakthrough, we now have more accurate personalised therapy plans and improved patient outcomes across the world.
The garden
Dr Andy Green, a breast cancer researcher and Deputy Director of the University of Nottingham’s NBCRC, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Alice and her family for creating such a meaningful and reflective space on campus. Their generosity not only provides a place of calm and connection for our students and staff, but also helps raise vital awareness of breast cancer and the work of the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre.”
Alice is continuing to tirelessly raise money for breast cancer research, and her latest challenge will be the ‘Titty Trot’ - a 5 or 10k sponsored run or walk, which is taking place on the 22 March next year. To donate or to sign up and take part, more information can be found on Alice’s Just Giving page.
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Andy Green from the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre at andrew.green@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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