Page 9 - Real-Rochdale-07

“Simon and Mikey were born 18 months apart, and Run entirely by volunteers in their
they died 18 months apart,” she continued.
spare time, with no government or
“I focused all of my anger and grief on fundraising lottery funding, the GEM Appeal
for research and treatment, so my boys’ story could has raised over £3million.
help others and change the future for those with
genetic disorders. receive in the UK. Karen said: “We are very honoured
to receive this accolade.
“My dream is that when my daughter decides to have
a child, and it might have Hunter Syndrome, that it “As a charity, we are very fortunate in that we have
will be a given that they can be healthy and live a long local businesses and people who continue to support
life, as there is now a degree of treatment available.” us; for example, Lloyds Bank allow us to have
charity buckets and Barclays match our funds at
All the money raised by the GEM Appeal has gone, certain events.
and is still going, towards purchasing diagnostic
equipment to enable the doctors and scientists at the “The bulk of the money we have raised is by Rochdale
Willink Unit to research, diagnose and treat children people and businesses, with every penny going into
and young people with rare genetic and metabolic research and equipment.”
disorders which were previously incurable.
Karen took part in the Rochdale 10k in October with
Because of the money raised by the charity, children her daughter Katie and GEM Appeal trustee Wendy
are now living longer healthier lives and the future is Mills to raise money for the charity.
more positive for those diagnosed.
Additionally, Denise Welch hosted the charity’s 18th
Trials of enzyme replacement therapy treatment, annual winter ball at Principle Manchester in
which Simon and Mikey needed, are also now November. A ‘Strawberry Sparkle’ fundraiser is also
available with promising results. held yearly at Nutters Restaurant near Karen’s
birthday, which is always a sell-out.
In 2016, Karen accepted a Special Recognition Pride
of Britain Award from Take That’s Gary Barlow, The GEM Appeal is currently raising money to buy a
Howard Donald and Mark Owen for her dedication Tecan machine for Manchester Children’s Hospital
to raising funds. at a cost of £175,000. At the time of publication,
£82,569.48 has been raised for the equipment,
More recently in September 2019, the GEM Appeal which will prepare and arrange blood samples for
was presented with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary DNA analysis, enabling the specialist staff at the
Service - the highest award a voluntary group can Willink Unit to concentrate on more complex tasks.

9 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2019