Action Launches Emergency Appeal

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Action Medical Research has launched an emergency appeal.

The charity has had to cancel or postpone a number of fundraising events across the UK, including Davina McCall’s annual bike ride in Sussex.

Lewis Coghlin is the Action’s Director of Fundraising: “So many organisations and businesses are having to brace themselves during these unprecedented times, and Action is no different.

“We have set up a dedicated web page to update our supporters with what’s happening with events .

“Action isn’t a very big charity - few people have heard of us - and so this will likely have a big impact on our work this year.”

Emergency Appeal

To help try and overcome the coronavirus impact, Action has set up an emergency appeal.

The aim is to try and raise £220,000, which is how much a single research project can cost.

Julie Buckler is Action’s Chief Executive: “Our ability to fund this vital research relies entirely on voluntary support.

“And much of our income comes from events that people take part in. With so many of these events now having to be cancelled, we know we have a big gap to fill, urgently. And so we need your help now more than ever.”

You can find out more about the charity’s work – and how to make a donation to the emergency appeal - on this webpage. 

Stuck At Home Selfies

As part of this campaign, Action has also launched #StuckAtHomeSelfies.

Many of the babies, children and families who benefit from the vital research Action helps fund are sadly used to self-isolating.

But for the majority of the population, this is a new and worrying way of living.

“We are living in unprecedented times”, says Lewis. “We’re all concerned and doing our best to keep loved ones safe.

“Action has launched the ‘Stuck At Home Selfie’ idea to help bring individuals and families together during this unsettling time. We hope it will help provide a lighter-hearted moment during such a serious situation.”

Supporters are encouraged to post selfies of themselves on social media using the hashtag #StuckAtHomeSelfie. They can also tag @actionmedres.

For those who wish to make a donation to Action Medical Research there is also an option to donate £3 by texting FIGHT to 70450.

Action Medical Research is the leading UK-wide charity saving and changing children’s lives through medical research. It has been funding medical breakthroughs since it began in 1952 including helping to introduce the first polio vaccines in the UK, developing the use of ultrasound in pregnancy and testing the rubella vaccine.

Action is currently funding research into areas including premature birth, epilepsy, scarlet fever, cerebral palsy, brain cancer and some rare and distressing conditions.