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2006 February 20 - Midlands dance group raises ?1000 for children with liver disease

Members of ‘Midlands Amateur Dance Association’ (MADA) have raised £1000 for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

The group has 250 members aged between 5 and 70 from around the midlands.  Members meet each week at Cornbow Hall in Halesowen to participate in a huge range of dance disciplines including Ballroom, Latin American, Salsa and Disco. 

MADA organises regular demonstrations, competitions and social events and the money was raised through raffles and other fundraising activities at events during 2005.  The money was presented to Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) at the clubs ‘Winter Ball’ which took place in Stratford-upon-Avon earlier this month (3rd February).

CLDF based on Great Charles Street, Birmingham is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to fighting childhood liver disease.  The Foundation offers practical and emotional support, funds vital research and helps educate healthcare professionals and the public.

Vice-chairman of MADA, Margaret Wharton from Halesowen, says, ”We hold regular demonstration evenings and always donate the funds to charity.  Our members were only too delighted to put on their dancing shoes to help raise funds for the charity when they heard about CLDF’s work.  We were thrilled with the amount raised and would like to thank everyone who supported us at our events.” 

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, adds, “Most people are unaware that two children are diagnosed with a liver disease every day in the UK, that’s a greater incidence than childhood leukaemia.  Most liver diseases are life threatening, all mean a lifetime of care.  We desperately need more funds to continue our work and we are very grateful to the Midlands Dance Association for their vital support.”

MADA has been in existence since 1975 and members attend competitions all over the country and abroad including World Championships.  New members are welcome.  For further information please visit http://www.madclub.me.uk or call 0121 422 1840.

For further information on the work of the Foundation, please visit www.childliverdisease.org or call 0121 212 3839.

For further information on this story please contact Rachel Markham, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, tel: 0121 212 6012, e-mail: communications@childliverdisease.org

Note to editors:
The Children’s Liver Disease Foundation is a unique national charity that fights childhood liver diseases through funding pioneering research and educating healthcare professionals and the general public. Formed in 1980, it provides professional, emotional support to families affected and is the only organisation of its kind in the UK.

Childhood liver disease – the facts
• More children in the UK are currently diagnosed with a liver disease than childhood leukaemia
• At least two children are diagnosed with a liver disease every day in the UK
• Most childhood liver diseases are life threatening; all mean a lifetime of care
• There are over 100 different liver diseases that can affect babies, children or young people
• For most childhood liver diseases the cause is unknown
• Liver disease has no cure
• CLDF is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to stamping out childhood liver disease