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2004 November 17 - Liza Goddard Backs Children's Charity Christmas Appeal

NEWS RELEASE

17 November 2004

LIZA GODDARD BACKS CHILDREN’S CHARITY CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Liza Goddard, one of the UK’s most enduringly popular actresses, is backing the Birmingham-based Children's Liver Disease Foundation’s (CLDF) Christmas appeal.

CLDF is a unique national charity that fights liver disease in children and young people.  The money raised from the appeal will help the Foundation to continue work supporting families, educating healthcare professionals and funding leading edge research, which will help children like Carl Langford.

Carl, aged 4 from Bridgnorth, was born with biliary atresia, a rare liver condition in which the bile duct becomes progressively blocked, leading to irreversible liver damage.  In his short life Carl has had to undergo four life-saving liver transplants, his latest in April this year, and is currently doing well.

The Foundation has helped Carl’s family throughout his illness by providing information, advice and support. Mother Gail said: “It is brilliant to know that I can pick up the phone at any time and have somebody to talk to.  CLDF has supported us from the very beginning. It’s been a lifeline for us.”

Liza, who is currently appearing in Season’s Greeting at Birmingham Repertory Theatre (15-20 Nov), said: “The Foundation wrote and asked if I would back the appeal this year. After reading all about its achievements over the last 24 years I was moved by its dedication to research and supporting the thousands of families at what must be such a devastating time. The Foundation is a wonderful cause and I really hope the Christmas appeal is a success.” 

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of CLDF, said: “We really appreciate Liza’s support with the Christmas appeal and hope that with her backing we will receive much needed donations and regular gifts to help us to continue funding research into why children like Carl get liver disease.  Two children are diagnosed with liver disease every day and with over 100 different liver diseases we still have a lot of work to do, which is why this appeal is so important.”

If you would like to find out more about CLDF or childhood liver disease call 0121 212 3839, e-mail info@childliverdisease.org or visit www.chidlliverdisease.org

ENDS
For more information about this story please contact Rebecca O’Connor on 0121 212 6012 or e-mail rebeccaOC@childliverdisease.org