The Liverpool-based charity provides essential services to over 8,000 people who are affected by Huntington’s disease across England and Wales, alongside offering education and training to support the families and professionals that care for Huntington’s patients.
The Huntington’s Disease Association relies almost entirely on voluntary donations and has recently experienced a devastating 70% loss of community and events income overnight, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The official partnership with LSP has come as a welcome lifeline for the charity, as they become the first appointed organisation to hold the ‘charity of the year’ status with Liverpool Science Park.
Leanne Katsande, Head of Commercial at LSP said: “At a time when medical research and healthcare services are of global significance and in vital need of support, we wanted to consolidate our fundraising efforts to maximise the level of our donations.
“By supporting the Huntington’s Disease Association over the coming months, our staff, customers and stakeholders will see their fundraising efforts directly contribute to helping people living with Huntington’s disease to live a better life.”
Huntington’s disease is a rare neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system and is caused by a faulty gene passed down through families. It affects the body, mind and behaviour and there is currently no cure for this hereditary condition.
Joanne Dobbie, Head of Fundraising at the Huntington’s Disease Association, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as LSP’s first official ‘Charity of the Year’.
“Having been adversely affected by Covid-19, this backing from LSP and their business community will make a huge impact in helping us to continue providing specialist advisory services and support to everyone affected by Huntington’s Disease.”
The yearlong association will commence in August 2020, with a programme of community fundraising activities planned across the following 12 months.
Today’s announcement comes with news of the first Liverpool Science Park fundraising event of the 12 month programme, which will take place throughout August. Employees and customers based within the three innovation centres at Liverpool Science Park are invited to take part in the aptly named ‘LSP3 Challenge’, with participants encouraged to undertake a mix of creative challenges aligned with the number three.
Participants have the entire month of August to complete their LSP3 Challenges, with several participants having already committed to taking part, by vowing to virtually ascend the National Three Peaks using their stairs at home, planking for three minutes in front of Liverpool’s iconic three Graces and by baking three tier cakes.
Family members, friends and neighbouring businesses within Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter are also encouraged to get involved by sponsoring participants, with all donations going directly to the Huntington’s Disease Association.
For more information about the LSP3 Challenge or to make a donation, please click here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LSPHDA1
To find out more about the Huntington’s Disease Association, please visit their website
