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?
“1 in 2,000 people will face a diagnosis of mitochondrial disease.”
Did you know?
“The first diagnosis of mitochondrial disease was in 1962, but research only began to take place within the last 20 years.”
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.”
Play our Lottery
Be in with a chance of winning £25,000!
Thanks to people like you playing our lottery, we are able to invest more funds into pioneering research, and aim to achieve our goal of one day finding that all elusive cure. Your contributions also go towards our family support, helping to provide a brighter mito future for our families 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
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!...
Tea Gowns and Teatime with the History Wardrobe
Sunday 14th March
To celebrate Mother's Day on March 14th historian Lucy Adlington invites you to join her for a charming presentation, featuring delightful 1930's fashions...
Charlie Gard Foundation Virtual Ball
Saturday 28th November 2020
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8odnoFztxI[/embed] Purchase tickets here. October 11th 2019 saw the Charlie Gard Foundation’s very first annual ball. Themed to The Greatest Showman we hosted...
Our Latest News
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...
Charlie’s Gifting Week
September 26th – October 2nd 2020 sees the return of our annual gifting week in Charlie's memory. Throughout this week we offer families...
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