On Tuesday 3rd September, dedicated DEBRA UK supporters Paul Glover and Martyn Rowley, were welcomed to DEBRA UK's head office to celebrate their outstanding achievement of raising £115,000 in 2024 to support those living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

Paul and Martyn have long been champions of the charity, organising an annual charity ball that has become a cornerstone of their fundraising efforts. This year, the ball was held on Saturday 27th April 2024, at the prestigious St Georges Park, with over 300 guests attending. In 2023, their ball raised £60,000, but in 2024, they surpassed all expectations, raising an impressive £80,000. The success of this event is a testament to their hard work and the generosity of their networks, the majority of which hail from the UK Accident Repair Industry.

It wasn't until we became more involved with DEBRA and saw the effects of EB, I found that once you're in, you're in. The more we got involved, the more we wanted to be involved and the more we wanted to help.

Paul Glover

Going from raising £2,500 when we first started to one event raising £80,000, it's amazing. It isn't really about us, it’s about the people who come to the actual event and support us, they can see what these children are suffering with.

Martyn Rowley

Inspired by DEBRA UK Vice-President Graeme Souness CBE, and the team's English Channel Swim, Paul and Martyn, along with friends Scott Bacciochi, Steve Shore, and Lee Roan, also embarked on a grueling fundraising challenge in 2024; completing a 55-mile walk from James Alpe Accident Repair Centre in Clitheroe to Lake Windermere over two days, followed by the 1 Mile Great North Swim in the chilly waters of Lake Windermere. This physically demanding endeavor not only raised over £12,000 but also highlighted the lengths to which supporters like Paul and Martyn will go to make a difference.

In addition to this, during July, Stellantis’ held their 3rd annual charity golf day, which raised over £20,000 for DEBRA. They were joined on the day by DEBRA member, 8 year old Jamie White, who lives with generalised severe epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). Jamie started the golfers off by sounding the horn and then toured the course with Martyn, meeting the golfers and giving out DEBRA golf balls and tees. Jamie also helped Morelli Northern Sales Director Andy Johnson run the evening auction, which raised an impressive £10,000.

Paul and Martyn's collective efforts in 2024 alone have contributed significantly to DEBRA UK's BE The Difference for EB appeal, which aims to raise £5 million by the end of 2024 to continue to invest in research to find effective drug treatments for every type of EB, as well as providing an enhanced programme of EB community support for families living with EB.

DEBRA UK extends its deepest gratitude to Paul, Martyn, and all those who have supported their fundraising activities, including 3M, Axalta, James Alpe Accident Repair Centre, Morelli Group, NBRA, Peggs Accident Repair Centre, PJB, Accident Repair Centre, Shorade and Stellantis.

Thank you for helping to BE the difference for families living with EB.