Marie’s January – July 2025 Update

Sturge Weber UK Newsletter – Summer 2025

A Fabulous Family Weekend in Leicester!

We were absolutely delighted to welcome so many of you to our Family Weekend in May at The Hilton, Leicester. The event was a heartwarming blend of connection, learning, and support—a true celebration of our community spirit. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it so special!

We were absolutely delighted to welcome so many of you to our Family Weekend in May at The Hilton, Leicester. This year, we took a chance by changing the location, and we sincerely hope you agree that the hotel was a better fit for our group and that the food was of noticeably higher
quality. The new venue provided a warm and comfortable setting for everyone to connect, learn, and share experiences—a true celebration of our community spirit.

Our Activity Club proved to be a great success, with children and young people enjoying a fantastic array of games and creative activities, leaving parents and carers free to relax and make the most of the weekend. Another highlight was the trip to Cadbury World, which was met with plenty of smiles (and a few chocolatey fingers!) and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

On Saturday afternoon, we held our AGM, which went smoothly and efficiently, thanks to everyone’s cooperation and thoughtful participation. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this year’s Family Weekend so special!

A Huge Thank You to Our Speakers

We’re so grateful to the experts who generously shared their time, knowledge, and unique
perspectives with our community:

  • Mr. Brooks, Moorfields Hospital – delivered a comprehensive presentation on Glaucoma, focusing on the specific challenges it poses for those with Sturge-Weber syndrome. He discussed the latest advances in diagnosis, the e􀆯ectiveness of current surgical and medical treatments, and the importance of regular monitoring. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions about symptom management, treatment side effects, and
    new therapies that may be on the horizon.
  • Catherine Swales – Epilepsy Nurse from Great Ormond Street – provided an in-depth exploration of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), explaining its symptoms, how it can co-occur with Sturge-Weber syndrome, and practical strategies for managing FND. She also addressed the key challenges of transitioning from paediatric to adult care, o􀆯ering advice for families navigating this critical period and highlighting available
    support services.
  • Christina Danai Griva – shared her latest research into the prevalence and impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) within the Sturge-Weber community.

Good news: Some of these presentations—packed with practical advice, research findings, and answers to your questions—are now available in the Members-Only Area of our website. If you missed the live sessions, be sure to catch up online!

Stronger Together – And It’s Working!

Our Stronger Together Campaign is making real and lasting change across the Sturge Weber UK (SWUK) community. The campaign’s goal is simple yet powerful: unite every member around raising at least £200 per year. This collective effort helps us fund breakthrough research, provide essential support for families, and spread much-needed awareness of Sturge-Weber syndrome. Every contribution—big or small—moves us closer to a world where no one faces Sturge-Weber syndrome alone.

With everyone’s help, the possibilities are incredible. If each member raises £200, we could reach an amazing £50,000 in a single year—imagine the difference we could make for families right across the UK.

How You Can Help Raise £200

Here are some simple, rewarding ways to reach your £200 goal and support our mission:

  • Shop and Give for Free – Turn your everyday shopping into donations at no extra cost. Use Easyfundraising or Give as you Live—just shop with your favourite retailers online and a percentage goes to SWUK!
  • Donate Instead of Sending Cards – Make celebrations even more meaningful by sending an e-card through Don’t Send Me a Card, and donate the cost of traditional cards to SWUK.
  • Monthly Giving – A monthly gift of just £17 adds up to over £200 a year, providing SWUK with steady support for grants, research, and family services.
  • Facebook Fundraising – Mark your birthday, anniversary, or a milestone with a Facebook fundraiser. Share your story online and rally support from friends and family.
  • Donate via PayPal – A quick and secure way to make an immediate impact—every donation makes a difference!
  • Fundraise Your Way – There are endless ways to get involved: host a bake sale, organise a quiz night, take on a sponsored walk or run, or celebrate a special occasion by asking for donations instead of gifts.
  • Active in April – Take part in our annual challenge: walk, run, cycle or get creative, set your target, and raise funds for SWUK throughout April.
  • Match Funding – Many employers will match the money you raise—instantly doubling your impact. Ask your employer about their match funding scheme, and let us know if you need help approaching them.
  • Engage Corporate Sponsors – Encourage local businesses to get involved by sponsoring your event, partnering with SWUK, or making a direct donation. Are you a business owner? Contact us to explore partnership opportunities!

Your Impact: What £200 Can Do

Every £200 you raise helps us:

  • Fund critical research into treatments and therapies for Sturge-Weber syndrome
  • Provide grants for families for therapies and specialist equipment
  • Deliver education and awareness programmes to improve diagnosis and care
  • Offer emotional and practical support to families navigating life with Sturge-Weber syndrome.

With every member’s support, we’re already seeing amazing results. For example, 44 members have joined Easyfundraising, raising an incredible £636.95—without spending a penny extra. Haven’t signed up yet? Scan the QR code and help grow our total. Every click truly counts!

How to get started

  1. Pick one or more fundraising methods that suit you
  2. Set your personal goal to raise at least £200
  3. Share your progress and your story with friends, family, and colleagues to inspire their support

We Need You – Trustee Vacancies

To keep the charity running and growing, we urgently need more Trustees—this is not just important, it’s essential to our future. At present, we are down to just three trustees, which leaves us stretched and, frankly, vulnerable as an organisation.

Most critically, we need a Treasurer as a matter of priority. The Treasurer’s role is vital: they ensure our finances are managed responsibly, help us plan for future projects, and keep us compliant with all legal requirements. Without a dedicated Treasurer, our ability to fundraise, allocate resources, and deliver on our mission is significantly hampered.

We’re also looking for support in areas such as:

  • Marketing
  • Compliance
  • Fundraising

If you have experience or a passion for making a difference in any of these areas, please consider joining us. Your contribution could be the key to helping Sturge Weber UK continue its work and support the community for years to come.

Interested? Email support@sturgeweber.org.uk or contact Marie directly for a friendly chat.

Website Updates – More Accessible Than Ever!

We’ve made some exciting updates to our website:

  • Easy Read function for improved accessibility
  • Members-Only Area with access to important documents and resources

Take a look and let us know what you think!
We’re committed to making Sturge Weber UK as open and supportive as possible for all of our members. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, caring for a loved one, or a long-time supporter, we want our digital space to be a welcoming hub for connection and information. You’ll find updated guides, frequently asked questions, and a fresh calendar of events—so you never miss out on what’s happening in our community.

If you haven’t explored the new features yet, now’s the perfect time. Your feedback is invaluable and will help us continue to develop resources that matter most to you.

Our Fundraising Goal – Let’s Reach £50,000!

To host the Family Weekend each year, we need to raise £40,000 annually.

We’re proud to share that the Trustees have now agreed on a:

  • Growth Plan
  • Fundraising Strategy
  • Strategic Plan

Copies of these documents are included for your reference, giving you an inside look at our vision for the future and the steps we’re taking to secure our charity’s growth. These plans reflect our long-term commitment to expanding the charity and supporting our members.

Make A Difference Grant – Apply Now!

The Make A Difference Grant scheme is still open!

  • Deadline for this quarter’s applications: 10th August
  • Grants Panel Meeting: 24th September

Don’t miss your chance—apply today and let us help you make a difference.

Save the Date:

Friday 22nd May to Monday 25th May 2026
The Hilton, Leicester

Booking forms will go live soon in the Members-Only Section of the website—please watch this space!

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for further updates as we prepare for this next year’s event! Over the course of the weekend, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with fellow members, participate in interactive workshops, and hear from inspiring guest speakers who share our dedication to making a positive impact.

Whether you’re a long-standing supporter or new to our charity, our upcoming gathering at The Hilton, Leicester promises to be a fantastic occasion for connection, learning, and celebration. Registration details and a full programme of activities will be available soon, so keep an eye on
your inbox and our Members-Only Section for the latest announcements.

We can’t wait to welcome you—together, let’s continue building a brighter future for our community.