Help us to raise £100,000 in our anniversary year – is the message from Buckinghamshire-based charity, Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research, as it launches its 10^th anniversary campaign to support its ongoing commitment to funding research to improve the quality of life, and wellbeing, for people living with spinal cord injury.

“It’s now 10 years since we pledged to put quality of life at the centre of our research efforts for people with spinal cord injury,” explained Derek Cutler, Research Manager, at Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research. “Since then, we have committed close to £1 million to finding treatments and practical solutions to the major complications of spinal cord injury, including pressure ulcers, pain, urinary tract infections and upper limb function.” 

He added: “This year, and with the help of supporters, businesses, schools, and the local community, we’re aiming to raise an additional £100,000 to kickstart the next decade of research, so we can help to fund even more breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of secondary complications to improve quality of life for people living with spinal cord injury.”

Facts and Figures

• A spinal cord injury can happen to anyone, at any time.
• Every 4 hours, someone in the UK, suffers a spinal cord injury.
• Currently, 50,000 people in the UK, are living with spinal cord injury.
• Treatment for urinary tract infection (a common condition associated with spinal cord injury) costs the NHS approximately £1 million per day.
• Treatment for pressure ulcers (a common condition associated with spinal cord injury) costs the NHS around £3.8 million per day to treat.
• Back in 2013, Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research launched the SCI Priority Setting Partnership, which brought together people with SCI and people who care for them, to discuss what research would be most beneficial to them. These priorities still guide their research today.

The Charity, backed by Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research Ambassador, Sophie Shane, who whilst on holiday in Malta in 2017, suffered a rare spinal cord stroke injuring her spine, commented: “You may not realise but when it comes to spinal cord injury, not being able to walk is just the tip of the iceberg. I’m also plagued with urinary tract infections and neuropathic pain, which really does make it hard to lead the life I’d like to live.”

She added: “This year, Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research, is celebrating its 10^th anniversary, and we’re asking for your support by committing to raise £1,000 across the year (businesses, schools, and individuals), or maybe even more. This money can significantly change my quality of life, and that of others like me. Their research really does mean the world to me. Thank you so much for your support.”

To find out more about the work of Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research and how you can get involved in its 10^th anniversary year as an individual, team, or business, click here.

>> Commit to raising £1,000 in our 10th year, and help us reach our £100,000 fundraising target <<