Chairman's message
"If I were you, I wouldn't start from here." Advice given to the traveller seeking directions could equally be applied to medical research, particularly when there may be doubt as to the destination. Research may be purely academic, satisfying a thirst for knowledge, but for us it must have additional benefits – the sufferer may be interested in the cause of the illness but will be better pleased to know the cure. Of course, the cure may be dependent on knowledge of the cause.
Dr Humphrey Bowen, Trustee for Research, and our Director Natasha Harrington-Benton have been busy seeking research proposals for funding that would satisfy our members' needs. This takes time and rather like the bus after a long wait three come along together. So we find ourselves with a number of proposals for funding that look good and are with our advisers for their recommendations. Now for the cliché — good news or bad news?
The good news is that we have prospects for valuable research which we can afford. The bad news is that we will not, if these go ahead, be able to afford additional proposals. And we are expecting at least one more. So, what to do? We do not send out unsolicited mail for instant recycling, no small charity can afford to. Nor do we spend on expensive advertising which cannot be guaranteed to get results. We are considering awareness programs and fundraising from minimal outlay. In issue 63 of our magazine, Spin, we were happy to announce an income in excess of £10,000 from the Christmas Raffle and our thanks to all who took part.
When we raised the membership subscription it was to cover increased costs rather than raise a surplus. Personally, I regard my own contributions to charities in that way. I can then choose to make a donation according to need and ability. I wonder, could you do the same? Could you make a donation to our restricted funds, used only for research? I will not give an example like 'Just £20 will build a hospital in Ongogo' because gifts depend on the donor's ability not on the receiver's need and so far as I am aware Ongogo does not exist (apologies to the Ongogoans if it does). If you are able to give any amount we would be most grateful. Include a note with your gift stating that you wish it to be added to the Society's Research Funds, unless you wish us to use our discretion.
Thank you for reading this and very best wishes to all!
David Riches