Christopher Biggins launches Global Cupcake Challenge for epilepsy awareness
Actor and comedian Christopher Biggins helped launch the Global Cupcake Challenge, which aims to raise £250,000 for paediatric epilepsy charity the Muir Maxwell Trust, in the stunning surroundings of Peacock Alley at the Waldorf Astoria, in Edinburgh, Thursday 30 April 2015.
Biggins, a long-standing supporter of the charity, hosted the event for 150 high-profile, influential Scottish women (and some men), who were all challenged to hold their own cupcake tea parties and help raise funds vital to ensure the continued provision of free epilepsy alarms.
The provision of alarms is a key part of the Trust’s work which focuses on providing practical support to children and their families coping with severe epilepsy. Currently 12,000 families in Scotland (and more than 120,000 in the UK) include children with epilepsy and a number of parents spoke movingly at the event about the potentially life-saving benefits of the alarms when faced with the risks of night-time seizures.
With the campaign now underway, the Muir Maxwell Trust will be calling on government to match fund the money raised to ensure everyone one of the 300 families on its waiting list can receive an alarm.
Ann Maxwell founded the Trust with her husband 12 years ago when their son Muir (now 17) was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy which caused profound learning disabilities. She said:
“I am delighted with the reaction we have had for the Cupcake Challenge. It is a simple and fun way for people to raise money for the Trust, and it is already doing a great deal to raise awareness about epilepsy and how it affects children and their families.
“Caring for a child with complex epilepsy is challenging, requiring twenty four hour care. Because of the risk of night-time seizures, parents will often stay awake, take sleep shifts or sleep alongside their child, leading to massive sleep deprivation. An alarm gives a degree of peace of mind, the return of long lost sleep for parents and an improved quality of life for the whole family. It offers protection to the child and is potentially life-saving.”
Entertainment at the event was provided by the Kennedy Cupcakes and Brothers of Swing. One hundred and fifty cupcakes were provided by 3D Cakes and the Caley Cupcake mascot costume was created by Lizzie Bell Interiors and Gill Sinclair. Clarins has provided the goody bags.
The progress of the Cupcake Challenge can be found on social media, with hugely popular facebook and twitter pages live with pictures, videos and tips on the best cupcakes.
More information can be found at: www.muirmaxwelltrust.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beatepilepsy
Twitter: @beatepilepsy
#beatepilepsy
Notes to Editors
- The Muir Maxwell Trust was established in 2003 to provide practical support to families struggling to cope with their child’s difficult epilepsy. Since then, it has raised more than £7m and is now the most significant children’s charity raising funds for paediatric epilepsy in the UK.
- In 2005, it funded the establishment of a world class DNA Service, which tests children for complex epilepsy syndromes and provides results within 40 days. Based at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow, it is currently the only non-commercial service of its kind in the world. Previously, tests were sent to Australia and results could take up to two years.
- In 2006, the Trust raised money to purchase ten state of the art telemetry diagnostic units which enhance diagnostic accuracy. One was donated to the RHSC in Glasgow and three to Young Epilepsy's Neville Medical Centre in Lingfield, Surrey.
- In February 2013, the MMT opened the Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, a partnership with Edinburgh University College of Medicine, with a focus on collaborative research to find the causes and subsequent treatments of severe epilepsy.
- There are more than 120,000 children (under 21) with epilepsy in the UK, of which around half have uncontrolled epilepsy and 20,000 are chronic sufferers. Fifty per cent of those with childhood epilepsy can have learning and behavioural problems. In extreme cases, epilepsy causes severe developmental delay.
- An ‘alarm’ fact sheet is available.
All media enquiries, please contact : Fiona Miller: (e) Fiona@indigopr.com (t) 07967374329 / 07852177289
Elizabeth Lambley, Indigo, 0131 554 1230
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