What a successful first year…

Alex’s Wish has been up and running for a year now – and what a year it has been! To date, we have raised over £60,000 to be invested in new clinical trials and research projects to help all children living with Duchenne. From The Big Buggy Push event held just a few weeks ago to the Coast to Coast Cycle Ride event, Charnwood Forest Cycle Ride, Swim the Channel Swimathon, Family Fun Boxing Show and charity Golf Day – it has been a busy year. Not to mention since launch, our new arrival to the family Isla (Alex’s sister) was born on 12th February. Alex sends this message to you personally (see pic above).

Because of the huge support we have received to date, we have been able to pledge $25,000 into a promising new anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, muscle re-generation clinical program posted on the Duchenne Alliance Dashboard that if it proves successful will help this generation of children to lead longer, healthier lives. We have also agreed to invest money directly into the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund, more news on this will follow.

We have so many people to thank – every single person who has helped support our cause to date – either by donating time, spreading the word about we are doing and our forthcoming events or by donating money and fundraising. To all those who have cycled, ran, swam and jumped out of planes for us (you mad people) – thank you.  A special thank you goes to Rob Farrar at Oadby Owls who through his club have raised almost £9,000 into Duchenne research alone – helped by various people within the academy. Specials thanks also go to Rachel Porritt, Emma Seville and Joanna Helcke for their support with organising specific events. Not to mention the businesses who are dedicating time and resources for no financial gain – Crush Design (Website development), Freeth Cartwright (Legal advice), HSP Tax Limited (Accountancy) and KK Installations. As well as all of those businesses who have very generously sponsored our events helping us to cover our costs including The Woodman’s Stroke Pub, Bradley’s Supermarket in Rothley, The James Barney Foundation, Atlas Ward, Flowers Associates, Motorway Direct, YBS Building Services, Hill Dickinson and those has have kindly donated gift vouchers and prizes for our prize draws and auctions. Thanks also to the Rotary Club of Sherwood Sunrises for their very generous donations received to date.

We’ve appeared countless times in the local press and lifestyle magazines – and even had a mention on ITV’s Big Star Little Star (Robbie Savage chose Alex’s Wish as his charity to donate his prize winnings too – amazing) and East Midlands Today News (the lovely Anne Davies, News Presenter promoted our Big Buggy Push event alongside Joanna Helcke from Zest4LifeUK. We’ve been live on Radio Leicester and Oak FM. So our mission to spread the word about Duchenne and how people can get involved has become a reality! We show no signs of stopping.

I would also like to welcome on board Amanda Pike our new administration/events support assistant who is going to be a great help and support to the charity!

Thanks a million to everyone. we could not had done this year without you all. And to help celebrate our first year, we are holding a very special ball called The Dandelion Ball on Saturday, 9th November at The East Midlands Airport Hilton Hotel (just off Junction 24 of the M1) – to find out more click HERE. Please help us spread the word – we would love you to come along and join in our celebrations and help us reach our target of £100k by year end!

From all our trustees X

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