Who are we?
What is Mitochondrial Disease?
Mitochondrial disease, or ‘mito’ for short, refers to a group of disorders where dysfunctional mitochondria are present, resulting in a variety of developmental, muscular and brain abnormalities. Mitochondrial disease is a genetic, chronic condition that is sadly progressive and can affect anyone at any time in their life. Symptoms of the disease vary hugely between individuals, but the most common symptoms are fatigue, neurological problems, visual and/or hearing impairment, heart, liver or kidney dysfunction, muscle weakness and poor growth, to name but a few. There are very few treatments for mitochondrial diseases and there is currently no cure.
Did you know?
Every day a child in the UK will be born and go on to be diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder.
Did you know?
1 in 2,000 people will face a diagnosis of mitochondrial disease.
Did you know?
1 in 10 people have a rare disease.
Did you know?
Mitochondrial disease can cause symptoms in any organ at any age.
Did you know?
Many diseases stem from mitochondria dysfunction, including Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, diabetes and autism.
Did you know?
1 in 3 of all children with a rare disease never live to celebrate their fifth birthday.
Did you know?
3.5 million people in the UK will be affected by a rare disease in their lifetime – 50% of them will be children.
Challenge 21
What will you do?
We have 21 amazing challenges that YOU can get involved with. Whether you like baking, running, crafting, gaming, horse riding, reading or dog walking – we have something for everyone!
Take on the challenge and raise funds for children and adults affected by mitochondrial disease and help us create a brighter mito future because mito matters.
Charlie's Law
Charlie’s tragic death on 28th July 2017 exposed the limitations of current processes available to parents, doctors and the NHS in efforts to ensure the best outcomes for seriously ill children. Charlie’s fight highlighted an urgent need for changes in the law, policy and legal and health practice to support families, as well as medical and legal professionals involved in what are deeply emotive, difficult and life-changing circumstances.
Charlie’s parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, have been working with NHS medical professionals, world-leading ethicists and legal experts to develop draft legislation that will prevent further long and painful conflicts between hospitals and families with sick children.
The bill provides three key changes to improve existing legislation. Charlie’s Law will:
Monkey Adventures!
Raise awareness and show everyone where your Monkey has been on their adventures with our Monkey Map. We’d love to know where in the world are our mito monkeys!
Would you like a Monkey of your own? Visit our shop today!
Upcoming Events
London Landmarks Half Marathon
August 1st 2021
Could you take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon this year? We're looking for a very special team of individuals who would like the...
May the 4th be with you!
Charity Raffle
May 4th is a day dedicated to the celebration of the startastic Star Wars films, and we would like to share the celebrations...
Great North Run
Sunday 12th September
For those wanting to take part in the Great North Run this year we are looking for a very special team of individuals...
Charlie Gard Foundation Big Night In!
Saturday 25th September
November 2020 saw our very first virtual ball – and we're going to do it all again on Saturday 25th September with our...
Mother’s Day Raffle
Monday 8th March
Welcome to our Mother's Day raffle! As Mother's Day fast approaches we thought we'd offer you the chance to win some lovely gifts...
Challenge 21
March 21st – August 4th
As 2021 is the year we begin to rebuild we feel it’s a cornerstone for us so we’ve created a multitude of tasks,...
Race for Charlie
1 Aug, 12 Sept, 26 Sept, 17 Oct
Race for Charlie 2021 is going to be yet another challenging year for our events, but at the Charlie Gard Foundation we like...
Valentine’s Weekend Charity Race Night
Saturday 13th February
On Saturday 13th February we'll be hosting another one of our popular virtual race nights – so get the date in your diary!...
Our Latest News
Roundtable discussion for Charlie’s Law
With the new year comes new challenges: the pandemic continues to disrupt parliament with all Private Member’s Bill’s suspended for the foreseeable future....
We’ve relaunched the lottery!
As we move into 2021 we realise that our fundraising plans will undoubtedly need to adapt yet again due to the global pandemic....
Crisis what crisis?
In this final episode of series two Andy Coulson talks to Connie Yates, mother of Charlie Gard who in 2017 was at the...
We’re having a ball – a virtual ball!
https://youtu.be/x8odnoFztxI October 11th 2019 saw the Charlie Gard Foundation’s very first annual ball. Themed to The Greatest Showman we hosted a truly visual...
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