​Scottish charity gets by with a little help from its friends

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) is celebrating its 50th year of support and advocacy for people across the country affected by the lifelong, complex conditions.

The charity was formed in 1965 by group of parents who each had a child with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.

Spina bifida is a fault in the spinal column where vertebrae do not form completely leaving a gap causing problems with the nervous system. Hydrocephalus is a condition where increased pressure on the brain can cause social, emotional, cognitive and behavioural difficulties.

Now 50 years later, the charity supports over 3,500 children, young people, adults, their family members and carers every year in Scotland.

SBH Scotland celebrated its 50th birthday on World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day, an international day to raise awareness of the conditions.

We are very grateful to all those who have helped us this far

Based at the Dan Young Support Centre in Cumbernauld, the charity works across Scotland and is the only dedicated charity of its kind in the country. SBH Scotland provide critical support and information services such as their national helpline, health check clinics, one-to-one support, social groups and advice and training. All their work is supported by donations.

The event marked the launch of SBH Scotland’s With A Little Help From Our Friends campaign, a year-long anniversary appeal with a host of fundraising events and activities that supporters can take part in. The aim is to raise £1 million to continue the charity's full range of support.

Director of fundraising for SBH Scotland Deborah Roe said: “We wanted to use our 50th birthday celebrations to launch a new appeal and to say thank you to everyone who has, and continues to, support our charity.

“We have to raise over £1m every year to run our vital support services and projects. Our many achievements are a direct result of the generous support from friends past and present. Friends who share our vision of enabling all those with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus to live the best life possible.

“We are very grateful to all those who have helped us this far and with a little help from our friends we’ll be there for our members for another 50 years.”

If you would like to support SBH Scotland’s 50th Appeal please call 03455 211 600, email [email protected] or visit www.sbhscotland.org.uk/fifty for more details.