Bristol-based specialist healthcare insurer National Friendly is pleased to announce its support of The Lily Foundation for the next 12 months, pledging to raise a minimum of £10,000 for the charity.
Committed to supporting research into life threatening Mitochondrial Disease and other metabolic disorders, the charity’s work is close to the heart of National Friendly employees Neil and Debbie Thompson whose granddaughter, Freya, suffers from the disease.
Staff at the Bristol mutual insurer have voted to support the charity as they felt it stood out as a truly deserving cause. The money raised will go towards screening programmes and will help the charity to continue its fantastic work across the UK.
National Friendly is proud to be its corporate partner and following the announcement National Friendly CEO Richard Sear said: “We have always been committed to supporting worthy charities and wanted to develop a meaningful and long term relationship with a charity over a 12 month period. We are thrilled to be able to dedicate our support to the work of The Lily Foundation, especially as the charity’s work has had such a valuable role in the lives of two of our staff members. Over the next 12 months we will be undertaking various fundraising activities in the Bristol area to help raise the money The Lily Foundation needs in order for its fantastic work to continue.”
The Lily Foundation was set up in 2007 by Liz Curtis and Dave Merritt following the loss of their eight-month old baby, Lily, to Mitochondrial Disease. Liz and Dave have had the support of their brother-in-law Jonathan Pearce, BBCs Match of the Day football commentator, who has been instrumental to the success of the charity so far.
The Foundation is committed to finding a cure for Mitochondrial Disease and other metabolic disorders through funding research and providing support to those involved with and affected by metabolic disorders.
Commenting on the partnership, CEO Liz Curtis said: “We are delighted to welcome on board National Friendly as a corporate sponsor. The money it raises will be essential in helping to support the three-point mission that we work from: funding research, training doctors and supporting families with sick children. As a growing charity, we are excited to be working with National Friendly for the next 12 months.”