Encouraging research participation

In a similar vein, John Roberts, a retired clinical supervisor for the NHS Emergency Ambulance Service from Salford, is a peer educator volunteer for the charity and is involved with the Antennae project (which has been taken from Addressing Inequalities in Renal Research). This aims to drive the recruitment of people from ethnic minority groups and those from lower socio-economic groups who are often under-represented in research.

John, 65, visits patients in dialysis units and gives talks in his local area to stress the importance of participating in research. He tells us: “I always start by saying to people, I am appealing for charity but I don’t want your money. All I want is your time to consider and register your interest in taking part in research.”

John, who had a kidney transplant in 2019, continued: “The Antennae project is important because medicine and other treatments should be the great leveller. We should all be treated in the most appropriate and effective way that is right for us. And the only way we’re going to get that is if research focuses on all ethnicities and on anyone else who doesn’t traditionally take part in research.”

Fabulous fundraisers

These are just some of the ways you can join Team Kidney as a volunteer, but there are also numerous ways you can fundraise. Niall MacCallum from Argyllshire ran the London Marathon for us this year in memory of his dad Eddie, who was diagnosed with kidney disease at 19 and died from complications last year when he was 76. Niall, 43, has raised over £2,500 and says he’s been “blown away” by the support. He says, “I’m grateful for every single penny that people gave to allow me to raise funds for this really important cause.”

Meanwhile, Tim Carr, from Bishops Stortford also did the London Marathon to celebrate the 26th anniversary of his sister in-law’s kidney transplant (her ‘kidneyversary’). We love this take on combining kidneyversary celebrations and fundraising.

Tim, 53, said, “I’ve run quite a few marathons before but the connection between Kerry’s transplant anniversary and the 26 miles in a marathon was just too good an excuse to do another one.”

If running a marathon feels like too daunting a prospect, a fun, gentle alternative would be to sign up to take part in either the London Bridges Walk on Sunday 16 July or the Glasgow Bridges Walk on Sunday 20 August. These fantastically uplifting events cost just £5 to enter. Participants then raise sponsorship from friends and family to spur them on for their seven mile walk (or their one mile alternative accessible route), joining hundreds of other supporters helping raise money and build bridges to transform treatments for people living with kidney disease everywhere.

But fundraising doesn’t have to centre around exercise, as Bhavesh Bavisi, 57, proved earlier this year when he hosted an event to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the death of his wife, Jesika, and to raise money for Kidney Research UK. Jesika had kidney disease and Bhavesh himself has spent several years on dialysis and undergone two transplants since she died in 2013. He said, “Mentally and physically, I can’t do anything like a marathon or a walk, so I thought, ‘how can I do this?’”. He soon came up with the lovely idea to organise a concert with live music and prayers in his wife’s memory. The event, which took place in March, was a great success and raised over £400.

Or if you want to push the boat out whilst helping to raise money for Kidney Research UK why not treat yourself to a ticket to our luxurious gala dinner, which is being held at The Underglobe at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London on 11 October. The event has a Midsummer Night’s Dream theme and promises magical entertainment, dancing and live auctions. Tickets are £250 each (or £2,500 for a table for 10) and guests will enjoy a champagne reception and a delicious three-course meal.

WEDNESDAY

Diary dates

We’d love to see you at our events –visit our website for details!

London Bridges Walk

Sun 16 July

North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge

Sun 23 July

British Transplant Games, Coventry

Thu 27 - Sun 30 July

The Big Garden Party

Sat 12 - Sun 13 August

Glasgow Bridges Walk

Sun 20 August

Tour O the Borders

Sun 3 September

Driving Discoveries, Leeds

Wed 6 - Thu 7 September

Thames Path Ultra Challenge

Sat 9 - Sun 10 September

Zipslide the Clyde

Sat 9 September

Great North Run

Sun 10 September

Organ Donation Week

18-24 September

ArcelorMittal Orbit Abseil

Sat 7 October

Gala Dinner

Wed 11 October