A message from the Chairman

"It is vital that we do more to help children with rare diseases. For some of these conditions, there is still no diagnosis, leaving children and their families with few answers and little hope for the future. Sadly, child health research only receives 5% of UK research funding.

"Great Ormond Street Hospital has one of the largest groups of rare disease patients of any medical centre in the world and so research is at the heart of its work. This shared endeavour with the ICH is core to the charity’s mission and is why we have grown to become the largest dedicated funder of paediatric research in the country.

"Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the researchers and clinicians at the hospital and ICH are already making incredible breakthroughs that would have been considered science fiction just a decade ago. These discoveries are benefitting children around the world right now. We urgently need to do more to give children with rare conditions the best possible future.

"The Discovery Appeal is an unrivalled opportunity for the philanthropic community to help make a global impact on child health. If you think you can help us, please contact the Discovery Appeal team to find out how you can get involved and how your support could make a lasting difference to the thousands of children and their families that desperately need our help."

Ruth Kennedy
Chairman, Discovery Appeal.