Over the festive season, so many of you have organised brilliant fundraising events and the new year started equally amazing with the conclusion of Steven Gill's monumental challenge. We are incredibly grateful for all your support, no matter how big or small, as you enable us to support people and families living with MPS or related diseases. Here are some of your fabulous stories.
Conclusion of an epic challenge
Take a moment to read the incredible fundraising story of Steven Gill. Over two years Steven, his friends, and his family have come together to take on the epic challenge which became the #59events. Thanks to all of his support, we’ve not only raised awareness for the MPS Society UK but we’ve also raised an impressive £18,003 - a sum that will help to support individuals and families affected by Fabry and other rare genetic illnesses. Thank you so much!
Carols and crafts
A huge MPS thank you to Carolyn Hunt and her sister who together created some beautiful handmade Christmas decorations to raise awareness and funds for the MPS Society. This was all in honour of her granddaughter who has an MPS condition. Carolyn’s fundraising did not end there, her fabulous Chater’s Community Choir was back in force in December, raising the roof off their local church singing Christmas carols.
Tracey Steward, the choir leader, conducted another festive concert at Saxon’s Gardens retirement home. We would like to say thank you to Carolyn, her Sister and to everyone at Chater’s Community Choir who together raised an amazing £1664.69! Watch the choir perform some of their festive carols on their YouTube channel.
More fabulous fundraisers
Thank you to Dianne Whittaker who raised a spectacular £900 by holding a coffee morning in memory of Grayson.
Another enormous thank you goes to 5 Yard Rush and Murf who have chosen us as their charity of the year in 2023 and raised a fantastic £5,277 plus £726 in Gift Aid. This is an incredible amount for our small charity!
Thank you to the Hampden Arms in Buckinghamshire for holding yet another successful pub quiz fundraiser for us and raising £180! Well done and thank you for the continued support.
During our Big Give Christmas Challenge you have raised a fantastic £27,264.01 including Gift Aid and offline donations. Thank you, you are truly amazing!
Meet our 2024 London Marathon runners
James:
"I'm running the 2024 London Marathon in what will be my first time completing the distance. I will be running in loving memory of a close family friend who sadly passed away in February this year after a lifelong battle with Fabry. I hope to raise well over my target of £2,000 to provide families of the MPS Society with the support they need."
Hana:
"Hi, I’m Hana and I’m running the London Marathon for the MPS Society to remember my best friend’s daughter, Sam, who sadly passed away in 2022. Sam was supported by the MPS Society when she was diagnosed with MPS I. She lit up the room when she walked in and despite her problems, she was a happy, bubbly woman who took everything in her stride. Her son Leo was the light of her life and her whole world, and she was loved by so many. I have never run a full marathon, just half marathons and shorter races, so this is something new for me but is nothing compared to what Sam’s family are going through. If you can donate, I would truly appreciate it. It will also spur me on to get round the course, which is simply going to be the biggest challenge I have done so far. Thank you all so much for your support. Love Hana."
If you can and would like to support James and Hana, take a look at their Just Giving pages.
Coming soon: Step into Spring!
Our 'Step into Spring - 10,000 step a day in March' Facebook challenge returns this year. Get started by joining our Facebook group and setting up your fundraiser here.
