Radio 4 Charity Appeal

Sunday 5^th February 2012 7.55am and 9.26pm & Thursday 9^th February 3.27pm

The Brittle Bone Society, the only UK charity supporting people with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to have a slot on the much prized BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal.

Our Appeal will be presented by Trustee Samantha Renke who offers a heartfelt, moving but positive account of what living with OI is really like. Sam says “being a part of the BBS is like being part an extended family.”

The Appeal will be broadcast on Sunday 5^th February at 7.55am and 9.26pm, and on the following Thursday (9^th) at 3.27pm. Listeners will also be able to hear the appeal online at www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/appeal

Please tell all your friends, family and colleagues about the Appeal and remind them to listen to and support the Appeal – it will make such a difference to the lives of people with OI if we can make as many people as possible aware of the appeal.

The Appeal

Now it’s time for the Radio 4 Appeal.  It’s presented this week by a teacher – Sam Renke, she was at the airport, poised to fly off to the sunshine:

“I was really looking forward to my holiday with the girls, my bags packed, passport at the ready - then crack, a sudden surge of pain rushes up my arm and I try to hide the tears from my friends. My arm is broken, a clean break and I don't really know how it happened.  I don't have to do very much to break a bone; a sneeze, rolling over in bed, reaching for a cup of tea can cause my bones to fracture. This is my life!

I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as O.I. After more than 200 broken bones I know what to expect, another trip to A&E, x-rays and eight weeks in plaster. I can cope with the pain, the itchy plaster cast, but what really breaks my heart is eight weeks of being helpless again.  I'm 25, people say I'm outgoing and that they admire my determination but  with this broken arm, I'm now immobile unable to propel my wheelchair.

Broken bones are part of my life.  I'm confined to a wheelchair and have had nine operations including 12 hour spinal surgery to correct my curved spine.  My legs are rodded and my arms are bent as a result of the multiple fractures.  But I'm used to all that and there's plenty to be positive about.  I've been to university.  I live independently and I work as a language teacher.

I became a Trustee for the Brittle Bone Society in 2009 and it’s a great honour and privilege to give something back to a charity that for me has become my extended family. Last year our small society last year spent over 76 thousand pounds towards specialised wheelchairs, they’re expensive and can cost anything from £3-14k.  As a trustee I have met so many inspirational and determined people.  And I’m here today on their behalf.

What I would really love is if this appeal today could help us to run events to bring people with OI together and prevent the feelings of isolation that can come from a rare condition.

You can give now either on-line via the Radio 4 Website or by calling 0800 404 8144, that’s 0800 404 8144. Or you can write a cheque to the Brittle Bone Society and send it to Freepost Radio 4 Appeal, Please mark the back of your envelope with our initials BBS.

Thank you so much.

Believe me; any donation will make a big difference to our members.”

How To Give:

Please contact the BBS office on 01382 204446 if you wish to donate by credit/debit card over the phone.

Donate via our JustGiving Page.

Or send in a cheque to Brittle Bone Society, Grant-Paterson House, 30 Guthrie Street, Dundee, DD1 5BS. Please write "Radio 4 Appeal" on the reverse of the cheque.

Want to spread the word further?

Why not send a press release to your local press! Download our Appeal Press Release add in some details about you and your connection to OI and the BBS which may be of interest to your local press. Please let us know which Newspapers you contact so that we can avoid duplication. If you have any questions or need assistance with completing the press release or with finding contact details of your local papers please contact Christine Hope, Fundraising Officer on chris@brittlebone.org