Crohn’s & Colitus in Childhood …free to live a life
Crohn’s & Colitis in Childhood – 3C’s is a registered charity formed almost 20 years ago. Each member of the committee has a child or children suffering from Crohn’s or Colitis and we work very closely with the research teams to ensure that monies donated can bring real benefits to those suffering from these two incurable complaints.
We are a small committee but have raised over £800,000 since we started. All monies raised have been donated to St Mark’s Hospital, Harrow, The Royal Free Hospital, London and University College Hospital, London and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. In each case our funds are donated to their research departments dealing specifically with Crohn’s & Colitis. As a charity we have no expenses as the time of all committee members is given free and there are no overheads other than costs which may be incurred in connection with our fundraising activities.
A staggering 1 in 400 people in the UK now suffers from Crohn’s or Colitis and in young children this can be fatal unless carefully controlled. The latest research is into more effective treatment of these very debilitating illnesses as it is currently thought that no cure will be available for sufferers.
For younger children with these illnesses their lives are disrupted by frequent hospital stays and in some cases major surgery. They will in all probability suffer throughout their lives from recurring attacks, which may lead again to long hospital stays or surgery.
The medication now used to control the more serious attacks are derivatives from chemotherapy and therefore very potent with significant side effects.
Our main fundraising event has been our annual half marathon walk in North London and we normally raise between £15,000 - £20,000 with costs amounting to approximately £500, which is the cost of the lunch that we provide to participants. Other fundraising events include charity film showings and celebrity comedy evenings. For the last 2 years we have benefited from the ‘Guts in motion’ Paris to London bike ride. These amazing supporters raised £45,000 in 2010 and over £100,000 in 2011. All funds raised go to research at UCH London.