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CLDF launches first Big Yellow Friday - 07/03/08

Birmingham's Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Mike Sharpe and actor Colin Buchanan, star of BBC TV’s Dalziel & Pascoe, kick started a major event for a Birmingham-based national children's charity in the city's Victoria Square today (Friday 7 March). 

Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) launched its first annual Big Yellow Friday with a fundraising and awareness event which involved the people of Birmingham building double yellow lines of coins in the square to represent the two children diagnosed every day with a life-threatening liver disease.

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of CLDF, says: "Usually double yellow lines have a rather negative connotation, but on Big Yellow Friday they became double yellow lines of hope.

"Each year in the UK there will be around 1000 new cases of childhood liver disease that strike babies, children and young adults through no fault of their own, which is greater than the incidence of childhood leukaemia.

"By helping to fund the Foundation's work supporters will be giving the thousands of families affected one strong voice to effect change in the diagnosis and care of childhood liver disease and hope of a brighter future."

Celebrity chefs James Martin and Michael Caines, MBE, plus broadcaster Sue Cook, a patron of CLDF, endorsed Big Yellow Friday and over 150 events, including 16 across the Midlands, were organised by CLDF supporters all over the country from Devon to the Scottish Highlands, including sponsored ladies' head shaves, balloon races, concerts and coffee mornings.

Based in Great Charles Street, Children's Liver Disease Foundation is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to fighting all liver diseases of childhood through its ground-breaking research programme and education of healthcare professionals. It also picks up the pieces of families' shattered lives by providing 24/7 emotional support.

Catherine Arkley continues: "We are hoping that Big Yellow Friday will grow each year to become a major focus for individuals and businesses in Birmingham to raise awareness and money to help families."

Ends

Further information from Jill Priest on 01886 822077 or  07940 534505 or Rachel Markham at CLDF on 0121 212 3839.
 

Note to editors:

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

Issued on behalf of Children's Liver Disease Foundation by Professional Communications.