In this issue:

25th ride is biggest yet

More than 600 cyclists gathered this August bank holiday weekend to take part in the 25th anniversary Action100 bike ride, making it the biggest ride to date.

Avanti on track for target

Action Medical Research was delighted to benefit once again from the Avanti in Action Pro Am Golf Day earlier this year, held at the East Sussex National Golf Club. The day raised a fantastic £15,000 for our Touching Tiny Lives Campaign.

Better Surgery for Fractured Elbows

Elbow instability is a common after-effect of elbow surgery, but a new surgical technique, developed by Action Medical Researchers, could reduce the risk of suffering this painful condition.

Breakthrough stroke study ends

Research at Imperial College London has made important findings on how the brain works that could help stroke patients to regain their speech.

Brunel building named after famous professor

The science building at Brunel University has been renamed after long-term supporter Heinz Wolff as part of celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the establishment’s namesake, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Calling all action heroes!

Two adventure challenges that test the best are again on the calender for 2007.

Davina Does it Again

Davina McCall worked her magic on the crowds again this year at the second Davina’s Day Out sponsored walk around Portsmouth Harbour. Despite unseasonably bad weather, hundreds of people turned out to take part on Sunday 9th July, and the day looks set to have raised over £30,000 for our Touching Tiny Lives Campaign.

Faith in the future

Sport always played an important part in Mark Livsey’s life as he grew up. A keen competitor, he was understandably worried when, at 19, he started to notice changes in the muscles in his legs.

Fighting fit to fight the flu

The flu jab spares people from illness and saves lives. But it doesn’t protect everyone. Some people catch the flu even though they’ve been vaccinated.

Fiona Bruce launches new fundraising programme

Fiona Bruce, BBC Newscaster and long-term Action Medical Research supporter, hosted a private dinner earlier this month, to launch Action Partners.

Going big on bikes

In 2006, Action Medical Research put smiles on the faces of 1,500 cyclists and helped them to raise in excess of £600,000 for our vital research work. Congratulations to all Touching Lives readers who took part in the London to Paris, Action 100, Castle Challenge, Forest of Arden, Lark Rise, Cork to Kerry and Dartmoor bike rides!

In the News

How Action Medical Research has been hitting the headlines.

Jargon Busters

TV scientist Professor Heinz Wolff explains some common — and some not so common — medical and scientific terms.

Keeping standards high

In January 2007 the new Fundraising Standards Board (FSB), the body running the selfregulation scheme for fundraising in the UK, will be launched to the public.

Meet the researchers

Dr Valerie Saw, 33, was born in Penang but now lives in London with her golf enthusiast husband. A qualified ophthalmologist, Valerie is currently investigating a form of blindness caused by scarring of the eyes.

Stars and stripes

Patterns, lights and reflections are around us all the time, and many of us don’t give them a moment’s thought, but could the simplest of things like striped shirts or flickering lights be the cause of some people’s debilitating migraines? Dr Alex Shepherd of Birkbeck College in London has been investigating.

The Doctor’s notebook

Dr Chris Steele from ITV’s ‘This Morning’ writes for Touching Lives to address some common health concerns. Here he talks about Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Touching Tiny Lives - keep up the great work!

We are inching ever closer to our campaign target of £3 million. With your ongoing support we can raise the funds needed to complete our vital research programme to help sick and vulnerable babies.

Where the money goes

Another opportunity to see how your donations to Action Medical Research are making a difference. Here we look at a project that is improving the quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.

Why I support Action Medical Research

Bunty Coates is in her early eighties, lives in Guildford and is a long-time supporter of Action Medical Research. Working for a time as a nurse, Bunty has witnessed the devastating effects of many of the diseases for which Action Medical Research is looking for cures and treatments.