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A list of frequently asked questions for fundraising
Author: Jonathan Evans
How do I pay in funds I have raised?
They are several ways which you can send us the money you raised. You can send a cheque to us and you can make a bank transfer or donate via the website. Please don't send cash to us, if you choose to please hand this in directly into our head office.
Published: 28th January, 2015
Can the money I have raised be donated to a specific project?
You can go via our website and click on the donate tab to choose which project you would like to donate to.
Updated: 6th March, 2015
How will you use the funds I've raised?
Ataxia UK is entirely funded by the money we raise. Some of it comes from trusts and grants, but most of it comes from the generosity of people like you, who make donations, raise money, and leave us gifts in their wills. For information on any aspect of fundraising or tips and support contact the Fundraising team on 020 7582 1444 or [email protected]
Can I get Ataxia UK materials such as collection tins, balloons and posters?
Yes, we provide a range of exciting merchandise that can be used to fundraise and increase awareness of Ataxia UK.
How do I claim gift aid?
If you are a UK tax payer you can increase the value of your gift to Ataxia UK, at no extra cost.
By signing a Gift Aid Declaration, with your permission, the Inland revenue allows us to claim an extra 25p for every pond you donate.
I want to raise money for Ataxia UK, how do I get involved?
We're thrilled you want to fundraise for us. They are so many ways you can get involved- why not take a look at our events page for some inspiration.
There are some other forms of ataxia, such as those below.
Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia (AOA) comes in two forms, AOA1 or AOA2. They make two of the rarest types of ataxia.
AOA1
Dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a type of inherited progressive late-onset cerebellar ataxia. It is characterised by a defect in a gene that causes damage to a certain part of the brain, the cerebellum.
Acquired ataxia
Ataxia can be acquired during someone's lifetime, and caused by something other than a genetic malfunction.
Strokes, gluten intolereance, alcohol, vitamin-E deficiency and trauma to the head can all cause ataxia. Some of these types can be reversed, depending on the cause; a vitamin-E deficiency can be reduced by attention given to diet, for example, that will reduce ataxic symptoms and in some cases, eliminate them all together. A patient must consult their GP or neurologist before attempting to make any changes to their diet.
Idiopathic
Idiopathic ataxia is the name we give a type of ataxia for which the cause is not yet known. Almost 50% of people with the condition have idiopathic ataxia, showing just how much more work there is to do.
Gluten ataxia is caused by a sensitivity to the protein gluten found in wheat products. It is one of the most common forms of sporadic idiopathic ataxia (where ataxia is found in people with no family history of ataxia and no known cause). You can find more information on Gluten ataxia research here.
Our specialist ataxia neurologist, Professor M Hadjivassiliou, is a leading expert in gluten ataxia. He runs the Specialist Ataxia Centre in Sheffield, and is leading research into the condition. If you have a diagnosis of gluten ataxia, please ask for a referral from your GP to the centre for specialist care. You can read how to do that here.
There is also a useful app that helps to monitor the gluten content in well-known products, assisting with your shopping and taking control over your condition.
Episodic ataxia is characterised as bouts or attacks of ataxia symptoms. The episodic ataxias are a relatively rare group of conditions which, as their name suggests, tend to affect people in bouts or attacks of unsteadiness. There are several types, but type 2 are the most well understood, and they are called episodic ataxia type 1 and 2. Both of these occur in families and are inherited in what is known as an autosomal dominant manner. This means that an affected individual has a 50% chance of passing the gene on to their children.
You can read more about the episodic ataxias here.
Spinocerebellar ataxia
The Spinocerebellar ataxias (also called SCA's) are caused by mutations in different genes. For example, spinocerebellar ataxia 1 is linked to a default in the gene SCA1.
Through research, more than 100 types of SCA's have been discovered since 1965. For more information on the different types of Spinocerebellar ataxias, see below:
Spinocerebellar ataxia 1 (SCA1)
You can also view an illustrated leaflet on SCA6 kindly provided by Health Press Limited.
Spinocerebellar ataxia 11 (SCA11)
Friedreich's ataxiais the most common form of ataxia, and is characterized by an inherited mutation in the frataxin (FXN) gene leading to reduced levels of frataxin, a protein essential for life and cell survival.
South East and the East of England
Our meetings take place at 11am at The Deal Centre for the Retired, 3 Park Street, Deal, Kent. Get in touch with Christine to come along.
East Sussex and Kent
Jean Gillard
Our meetings take place at The Roller Mill, Mill Lane, Uckfield TN22 5AA - please contact Jean for more information!
Gravesend and Rainham
Vanessa Bartlett
Yvette Loach
Dawn Wooldridge
Mobile 07776 188 877
Stewart Smith
Our meetings are held every third Tuesday of each month at The Windmill Inn pub, 278 Hythe Rd, Ashford TN24 0QR. Our 2019 dates are: 19 March, 23 April, 21 May, 18 June, 23 July, 20 August, 17 Sept, 22 October, 19 November and 17 December: our Christmas party!
Michelle Spratt
See the latest going on here
Jennifer Davies
We welcome new members, please contact Jennifer for more information.
Bishop's Stortford and Ware
Barry Munday
See our website here
Meetings take place in the Beefeater at the Premier Inn, Marsh Lane, Ware SG12 9QB. Please contact Barry for dates and times of meetings.
East (Generally the Peterborough area)
David Stubley
Read our newsletter here or join us for our meetings at the Stanground Community Centre, Whittlesey Road, Stanground, Peterborough, PE2 8QS. Please contact David for dates and timings.
Ipswich & Colchester
Patsy Riggs
Click here to read our future dates
Read our latest newsletter here
Ataxia UK Norfolk Online Support Group
Ami Tricker
http://www.facebook.com/groups/1849601001806870