MP Fiona Bruce celebrates with Alsager based Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association hitting its Cool Million pounds fundraising target
Fiona Bruce MP, who launched the Cool Million campaign of the Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association (RSA) in 2010, which aimed to raise £1million, has met with their new Chief Executive Elizabeth Bevins this week to congratulate the RSA on hitting this target within just three years.
Fiona Bruce said “I congratulate everyone at the RSA on raising this incredible sum of a million pounds in just 3 years. For a locally based charity to achieve this is quite remarkable. It is a wonderful final tribute to RSA’s founder, Anne Mawdsley MBE as she steps down as Chief Executive and an equally exciting start for Elizabeth Bevins as she starts out in that role. I take this opportunity to welcome Elizabeth, as the new Head of the RSA – the only charity in the country raising money and awareness for Raynaud’s and Scleroderma sufferers.”
Elizabeth Bevins, RSA’s new Chief Executive Officer said “Daunting as it sounds following Anne’s successful 30 years at the helm, I am excited about building on the charity’s achievements and taking it into the future. People of all ages who have Raynaud’s and the rheumatic disease, scleroderma can be confident that the RSA are putting their needs at the heart of all our plans. With the energy, imagination and dedication of the team - together with supporters and fundraisers from all walks of life – we will help beat these conditions. ”
Having achieved this remarkable target, the RSA is not standing still. Their next event to raise funds for this important work will be a ‘Charity Food Night’ at Latif’s Indian Restaurant, Crewe Road, Alsager on 11th June. Tickets are £20 a person and can be obtained, along with further information, by calling 01270 872776 or visiting our website http://www.raynauds.org.uk/. New supporters would be particularly welcome.
Whilst, Scleroderma is relatively rare, with about 8000 sufferers in the UK, Raynaud’s affects more than 10 million people, can affect any age group, and is far more than just having ‘cold hands’. This is a truly debilitating disease, seriously affecting the dexterity and sensitivity of the hands and fingers in particular. The RSA works to help and advise those experiencing and living with these conditions.
The ‘Cool Million’ raised is being used to fund projects in the UK dedicated to finding out more about the management and understanding of Raynaud's and Scleroderma in areas identified by patients.
