Celebrating the supporters of Arthritis Research UK | Issue No. 15 | Autumn 2013
BEN’S WAY: 560 MILES
FROM FRANCE TO SPAIN
Fundraiser from Blackpool walks for six weeks to raise funds for Arthritis Research UK.
On Saturday 12 May, Ben Wilkins aged
28 from Blackpool, Lancashire embarked
on a six week trip raising over £1,900 to
support our vital work. Walking alone
and carrying all his equipment, Ben
completed the challenge of a lifetime – to
walk the El Camino de Santiago (The Way
of St James), an ancient pilgrimage route
dating back hundreds of years.
The six week walking challenge started
in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France. Ben
walked between 10 and 20 miles each
day through northern Spain to Cape
Finisterre, Spain’s most western point,
where the Romans believed the world
ended. Along the way Ben reached his
highest peak at 1390meters, higher than
any peak in the UK.
Ben was diagnosed with rheumatoid
arthritis aged 16 after being in pain for
eight years and was told that he may
never be able to walk unaided. Thankfully,
Ben responded well to anti-TNF therapy
and is now in remission.
Ben stayed in pilgrim’s hostels along the
way and was able to raise awareness
of his condition and Arthritis Research
UK’s work with other fellow walkers.
Ben walked through mountains, forests,
farmland, cities and rural villages in Spain
that many never see. On his arrival at
Cape Finisterre, on Thursday 20 June,
he was very happy to be able to dip his
aching feet in the sea.
Ben said: “Going from being a very fit,
sporty teenager, to being told I may well
not be able to walk unaided for the rest
of my life was quite a blow. Over the next
eight years I tried many treatments and
dozens of different medications.”
Ben had a great amount of support
for his impressive fundraiser. His work
colleagues at B&Q set up an exercise bike
The success of his treatment has
in the store and cycled the 560 miles of
motivated him to fundraise for Arthritis
Ben’s walk ‘alongside’ while he was away.
Research UK, describing us as: “the
charity that funded the research into anti- Ben’s friends and family also helped by
TNF and helped with so much info and
donating to his JustGiving page and
advice over the years.”
holding a raffle at a local business.
Ben with an El Camino de
Santiago post marking
If you would like to support Ben’s efforts
you can still donate to his JustGiving page:
www.justgiving.com/bens-way.
“Going from being a very fit, sporty teenager, to being told I may
well not be able to walk unaided for the rest of my life was quite a
blow. Over the next eight years I tried many treatments and dozens
of different medications.” – Ben Wilkins
/arthritisresearchuk
@ArthritisRUK
A message from us
Welcome from
our guest editor
Last edition we said goodbye
to our Arthritis Today Extra
editor and head of community
and events Gabriella Bailey.
For our autumn edition we
are excited to welcome Jo
Adams as our first guest editor.
Jo is Professional Lead for
Occupational Therapy at the
University of Southampton,
has been a volunteer on The
Arthritis Research UK Garden at
RHS Chelsea Flower show 2013
and recently completed her own
fundraising cycling event. Over
to you Jo!
I am delighted to welcome
you to the autumn edition
of Arthritis Today Extra as its
first guest editor. I work at the
University of Southampton
and the Arthritis Research UK
Centre of Excellence for Sport,
Exercise and Osteoarthritis
where our research teams have
benefited from vital funding
over the years. I know how
invaluable the money raised
is in supporting researchers
like me to continue to work
towards improving the lives of
people who have arthritis.
This edition really showcases
how the personal impact
of arthritis has led to some
tremendous fundraising. The
amazing achievements of
Ben and Katie are a testament
to the research that Arthritis
Research UK fund into
effective drug treatment and
Phil, Claire and Richard, all
with family members with
arthritis, have been inspired
to complete impressive
sporting events to raise funds.
The huge amount raised
by the Newcastle branch is
a fantastic example of ongoing persistence resulting in
impressive results. I recently
completed a 100k cycle ride at
the start of September across
the beautiful New Forest on
behalf of Arthritis Research UK,
so I know personally that the
process of fundraising can be
incredibly enjoyable.
I hope you enjoy the stories in
this edition and good luck with
your own fundraising efforts.
Best wishes
Jo Adams
Professional Lead for
Occupational Therapy,
Faculty of Health Sciences,
University of Southampton
Dates for your diary
Here are just a few of the events we have coming up. For our complete list of fundraising events
visit www.arthritisresearchuk.org/events
OCTOBER
National Arthritis Week
7-13
Events nationwide
www.nationalarthritisweek.org
OCTOBER
29
DECEMBER
2
JANUARY
25-31
Quiz & Curry Night
Come to the Concorde Club Quiz Night, near
Southampton in aid of Arthritis Research UK.
Concorde Club, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire,
SO50 9HQ
The Cardiff and Vale branch Christmas Concert
BBC Radio Presenter Frank Hennessey will be
accompanied by the choirs of St Helen’s Roman
Catholic Schools.
7.00pm St Helen’s Church, Barry, CF64 5TG
Dog Sledding Challenge
Drive your own team of huskies through 200km of
beautiful frozen landscapes.
Kiruna, Lapland, Sweden
MARCH
2
MARCH
2
APRIL
6
APRIL
13
Bath Half Marathon
Run the Bath Half Marathon for Arthritis Research UK,
one of the longest established and most popular
city centre road events in the UK.
Somerset
Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon
Join Team A at the famous Silverstone motor racing
circuit, the home of British motorsport.
Towcester, Northamptonshire
Brighton Marathon
The 5th Brighton Marathon is all set to take place in
2014. Make sure you don’t miss out on the fun with
Arthritis Research UK.
East Sussex
Virgin Money London Marathon
The atmosphere is electric on the day and if you
enjoy running, want to challenge yourself or do
something potentially life-defining then this is the
event for you!
News about you
Happy 45th birthday to our Newcastle fundraising branch
Our Newcastle upon Tyne branch reached
its 45th year in September. During this time
their awareness and fundraising activities
have raised over £180,820 to support our
life-changing research.
The branch is chaired by Mercelle Taylor
who has been volunteering her time and
fundraising expertise for over 25 years.
Mercelle, who has osteoarthritis, is driven to
support the pioneering research we do to
lead the fight against arthritis.
To mark National Arthritis Week 2013
the branch is planning a Meet the Expert
lunchtime lecture on Monday 7 October.
Arthritis Research UK researcher Professor Dr
Wan-Fai Ng from Newcastle University will
talk about their pioneering research activities
and host a question and answer session.
The branch is extremely keen to share
experiences and build the team of
volunteers, and they are calling for new
recruits to help them develop more
fundraising ideas and raise awareness of
this debilitating condition.
If you would like to get involved with
our fundraising branch in Newcastle
please contact us on 0300 790 0400
or email Caroline on
[email protected].
Speaking about the branch, Mercelle said:
“For 45 years the branch has proactively
moved with the times, managing almost
five decades of change is a remarkable
achievement and for the past 25 years it has
been a privilege to steer that journey.
“We are a very small branch, blessed with
dedicated supporters who give their time to
spread the word and fundraise.”
Over the last year the branch has organised
a number of successful fundraising
activities including supermarket and street
collections, two Great British Garden Parties
(at Mercelle’s home and Dobbies Garden
Centre), recruited runners for the BUPA
Great North Run and developed charity of
the year links with local businesses.
Team
From left, Mercelle Taylor, Stan Errington, regional fundraising
manager Caroline Robertson and Kevin Mulhall.
Snowdon Challenge 2013
Eighty-four dedicated
walkers take an alternative
Snowdon adventure.
On Sunday 23 June a total of 84 Arthritis
Research UK supporters from across the
north-west of England and north Wales
assembled at the foot of the highest
peak in Wales to take on the 2013
Snowdon Challenge.
Not to be defeated and to honour their
fundraising commitment, the group decided
to head off with local mountain guide John
Ellis Roberts MBE on an alternative 10-mile
walk, following the interesting Dinorwig
Quarryman’s Walk. Even with the adverse
and untimely weather conditions the
dedicated walkers kept their spirits high by
sharing stories of their fundraising efforts
with each other and enjoying the beautiful
Snowdonia scenery.
However the day was one of the wettest
and windiest days in June, and with
weather conditions worsening mountain
guides recommend that Snowdon was not
tackled that day.
Twenty-one year-old Katie Rodd from
Southport, Merseyside is a former AT Extra
‘Supporter in the Spotlight’ and has lived
with arthritis all her life, with many friends
also having the condition. Katie particularly
Team Rodd at the end of the Dinorwig Quarryman’s walk.
wants to raise awareness of support available
for children and young people with arthritis.
Katie climbed Snowdon in 2012 and raised
over £1,000; this year she decided to recruit
a 47-strong ‘Team Rodd’ and between them
they have raised over £2,700.
Katie spoke about her motivation: “It
was extremely difficult growing up with
arthritis; it meant missing a ton of school
and I was back and forth to hospital every
week for joint appointments.
Congratulations to all the members of
Team A Snowdon Challenge 2013 who
together raised over £6,000 to support our
vital work.
SUPPORTER IN
THE SPOTLIGHT:
Richard Guise, 61, from
Leicestershire, fundraises
for us in memory of his
late father Ron Guise who
had arthritis. Richard has
published a book ‘A Wiggly
Way through England:
wandering the watershed in
search of history, characters
and cakes’ and donates 50%
of his royalties to Arthritis
Research UK.
Why is it so important for
you to support us?
The arthritis suffered by
my late father Ron was not
only painful for him but also
restricted his much-valued
independence. One of his
tips to me was to “go out
and enjoy yourself while
you can”. So I’m doing just
that - and raising money for
Arthritis Research UK at the
same time.
What would you say to
someone to encourage
them to get involved with
fundraising for us?
Everyone knows someone
whose life would benefit
from this research - it could
even be yours.
What is your top
fundraising tip?
Whenever you support
someone else’s charity,
make sure they know how
they can reciprocate to help
Arthritis Research UK: a
card, a website link...
If you could take part in
any fundraising event or
challenge, what would it be?
With my own arthritis now
restricting long-distance
cycling, it would be a
journey challenge by a
different mode: by train or
- with my imminent senior
pass - by bus!
For a mother’s joints (and love)!
Hampshire fundraiser supports our work for his ‘Bionic Mother’.
Phil Canale from Alton,
Hampshire joined 43 other
Team A cyclists to complete the
Prudential RideLondon-Surrey
100 event bringing his personal
number of fundraising events
to four in just two years.
As a dedicated member of
Team A, Phil has also completed
the Virgin London Marathon
and the Ealing Half Marathon in
2012 and in 2013 the National
Lottery Anniversary Run, raising
almost £4,000 in total.
Phil supports us as he has seen
the effect rheumatoid arthritis
has had on his mother, Anne
Canale, and has watched her
become somewhat of a “bionic
woman”. Anne has had both
shoulders, elbows and hips
replaced due to the condition.
Phil said about his motivation:
“Arthritis has affected both
mine and my wife Zena’s family.
My mum has more artificial
joints than real ones, and Zena’s
mum has just undergone a full
knee replacement operation.
“I, on the other hand, have
nothing more to complain
about than the odd pulled
muscle or hangover headache,
so I asked my friends to think
about their own hangovers, and
save themselves a headache by
donating a night’s beer money
to the worthy cause.”
Phil has customised his orange
sports vest, adding his name
across his chest and as he
passes our cheer squads along
the way he responds equally
loudly. Phil regularly keeps up
to date with Team A members
on the event Facebook
pages. He has also organised
matched-giving fundraising
through his employer to push
his fundraising targets higher
and higher!
If you are inspired by Phil and
would like to join Team A,
please get in touch with the
sports events team on
0300 790 0402 or email
[email protected].
Phil en-route at the Prudential
Ride London-Surrey 100
Mother celebrates daughter’s
successful treatment
Over £2,000 raised from a triathlon to mark
triumph over juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Claire Smith from York,
North Yorkshire completed
the Castle Howard Triathlon
to raise money and help
increase awareness for juvenile
idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and
Arthritis Research UK.
Claire’s daughter Sofia, now
aged four, was diagnosed
with JIA when just two years
old. For several months Sofia
couldn’t walk due to the pain
in her left knee joint. Following
treatment at Leeds General
Hospital and York District
Hospital, Sofia is now able to
walk again.
Claire decided to celebrate
Sofia’s fantastic response to her
treatment, and her daughter’s
renewed delight in her ability
to swim, bike and run, by
entering the Castle Howard
Triathlon. After six months of
training, Claire was prepared
for a 400m swim, 24km bike
ride, and a 4km run.
Claire described the race
as: “Sixteen minutes of hell
splashing through mud and
weeds in Castle Howard lake,
one hour and 15 minutes
of pure joy cycling around
the Howardian Hills, and 30
minutes of pain running up and
down the hills of the estate.”
Claire raised over £2,000 thanks
to the generosity of her friends
and family around the world
who sponsored her and helped
spur her on during the race.
She would also like to thank
lead clinician Dr Mark Wood
and all the Leeds paediatric
rheumatology team for their
amazing support.
Claire Smith in her wetsuit
during training
Sofia, back on her bike!
News from us
Remember A Charity in Your Will Week
The nation is encouraged to take a moment to think.
Arthritis Research UK took part in
Remember A Charity in Your Will Week
2013. The nationwide awareness week,
9-15 September, reminded people of
the importance of including a charity in
your will.
BBC presenter Angela Rippon launched
the week, reminding us all that leaving
a gift in our wills is something to take a
moment to think about. To raise awareness
of the event, our shops took part in a
Yellow Shop Window Competition with
some very imaginative displays of all
things yellow - the campaign’s logo
colour. We also encouraged all our staff
to take a moment to think about what is
important to them, just as anyone would
when they think about including a gift to
charity in their will.
At Arthritis Research
UK we rely on the
generosity of people
who choose to make bequests in their
wills, as they fund almost half our work. We
just wouldn’t be able to continue our lifechanging research without them.
For more information on how to include a
gift in your will, you can contact one of our
legacy advisers on 020 7307 2232 or email
[email protected].
If you would like to make or update your
will, you can also take part in Free Wills
Month in a select number of locations in
England and Wales during October. To
find out more please visit our website
www.arthritisresearchuk.org/fwm
Our Legacy Advisor Jon Chase with television journalist and face of
Remember A Charity in you Will Week, Angela Rippon.
Support our work by making a Joint Effort Pledge. Give, share or learn
by raising money, sharing your experiences and finding out more about the
realities of living with arthritis.
www.nationalarthritisweek.org.uk
NAW 29 NAW ad for AT Extra V4.indd 1
23/08/2013 14:05
Thank you
Throughout the summer months
we saw a fantastic variety of
fundraising events that have
inspired and amazed us. Here are
just some of the thank yous we
have made over the last
three months.
with the Torpoint fundraising branch in
Cornwall. Read more in Arthritis Today.
Thanks to Paul Naughton from Newcastle
who cycled alongside seven of his work
colleagues on a ‘Coast to Coast’ fundraising
bike ride raising over £2,000 to support our
life-changing research.
Thank you to Chris Wright of Mold, north
Wales who cycled 10km a day for a year
in his own 3660 Cycle Challenge. Chris
celebrated his achievement by taking part
in the 2013 Nightrider London 100km cycle
Thank you to the Flame Runners, a dedicated
in June and raised a total of £1,601.
team of researchers from the University
Thank you to Tony Collis from Narborough,
of Glasgow, for raising almost £1,150 by
Leicestershire who raised over £300 for us
running the Edinburgh Relay Marathon.
at his 80th birthday party in July.
Congratulations to Enid Gaved, who has
A big thank you to the Enniskillen
been awarded the British Empire Medal
fundraising branch in County Fermanagh
in recognition of her services to people
for raising £600 at their annual Lough Erne
with arthritis. Enid has volunteered locally
for Arthritis Research UK for over 30 years
boat trip and fundraising dinner.
Thank you to the Sutton Scotney branch in
Hampshire for raising £2,657 by holding a
spring fashion show in support of Arthritis
Research UK.
Members of the Enniskillen
fundraising branch.
To see photos and hear more about
these stories as well as other inspiring
fundraising events visit our online
fundraising news pages under the
Support Us section of our website.
www.arthritisresearchuk.org
Social media
Join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest to be the first to hear news from all areas of Arthritis
Research UK. For those who missed it, here are a few of the highlights from the last three months:
• We are now up to a whopping 10,200 likes on Facebook and 6,350 followers on Twitter. On our YouTube channel our 278 videos
have been watched 390,280 times and we have 8 great image boards on Pinterest for you to share with your friends.
• Our exciting new fundraising initiative, The Great British Garden Party, took over our social media for a week during August to share
all the great fundraising ideas for parties planned for the remainder of the summer.
• Ahead of National Arthritis Week 2013 (7-13 October) we have recruited Social Media Champions to help us raise our awareness
online and share the activities going on during the week. Keep a look out for their posts and tweets and help share our messages
wherever you can!
• You can also get involved with National Arthritis Week 2013 by attaching our Twibbon to your profile picture. Just follow us on
Twitter or like us on Facebook where you will be able to attach our Twibbon to your profile and show your support to your online
community.
Subscribe to our pages to stay up to date with our latest news and meet other Arthritis Research UK supporters.
We’d like to hear more from you...
Thank you to everyone who got in touch with their answers to our brainteaser: What seven-letter word has hundreds of letter
in it? The answer is... Postbox!
Why not have a go at this brainteaser and get in touch with your answer? Or you can send us a brainteaser suggestion of
your own for our Winter AT Extra;
What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed
but never sleeps?
Please send your answers to: [email protected] or post your answer to
AT Extra Brainteaser, Copeman House, St Mary’s Court, St Mary’s Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. S41 7TD
The answer will be revealed in the next edition – good luck!
Arthritis Research UK, Copeman House, St Mary’s Court, St Mary’s Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 7TD
0300 790 0400 | [email protected] | www.arthritisresearchuk.org
Registered Charity England and Wales No. 207711, Scotland No. SC041156.