Thursday 2nd - Sunday 5th September 2010

Hillsborough - the No.1 Village in Ulster as decided by UTV Viewers

Struggle Against Muscular Dystrophy (S.A.M) is delighted to have been nominated as the benefiting charity of the Hillsborough Oyster Festival 2009.

Muscular Dystrophy is a heartbreaking progressive muscle wasting disease which is 100% fatal. In its congenital form the disease leads to severe muscle wasting, causing children to become dependent on wheel chairs at a very early age. As the muscles continue to waste children become quadriplegic, they suffer from scoliosis and painful muscle contractures and eventually lose the ability to breathe and eat without assistance. Longevity and quality of life are severely compromised. There is currently no treatment and no cure.

BACKGROUND
S.A.M. was set up by a committee of volunteers from a variety of professional backgrounds in 2008 in response to the diagnosis of a one year old little boy, from Hillsborough, with the terminal muscle wasting condition, Congenital Muscular Dystrophy.

VISION
Our vision as a charity is to ultimately improve the treatment, quality of life and long term outlook for persons affected by Muscular Dystrophy through awareness, research, education and advocacy.

OBJECTIVES

1. To increase public awareness of Muscular Dystrophy through media, educational and fund-raising campaigns.
2. To direct the money we raise to key research projects and drugs trials which will further scientific understanding of Muscular Dystrophy, with a view to bringing potential  life enhancing drugs to the present generation of Muscular Dystrophy sufferers.

VALUES
S.A.M. is unique in that we have established ourselves as a zero cost charity. We have no overheads, no salaries, no administration fees. Everyone involved with the charity gives their time, expertise, products and services for free. All of the money we raise will help fund research into Muscular Dystrophy.

Gillian Garrett Chairperson of S.A.M.
“We are extremely grateful to the Hillsborough Oyster Festival committee for this important opportunity to increase public awareness of Muscular Dystrophy and to raise vital funds for our research projects and drugs trials. If you would like more information on our aims and objectives or how you can help us fundraise or as a volunteer, please visit our website www.helpsam.info

A huge thank you to all supporters at the Hillsborough Oyster Festival and we look forward to seeing you there at some of the events”

Struggle Against Muscular Dystrophy Registered Charity no. XT11760