A Remarkable First Year for Freddie’s Ataxia Fund
What a journey it’s been! Since launching in 2024, Freddie’s Ataxia Fund (FAF) has made incredible strides in raising awareness, building connections, and most importantly - providing real support to people living with Friedreich’s Ataxia in Tayside. Our first annual report is in, and we’re proud to share some highlights with our growing community of supporters.
Inspired by Eilidh, Driven by Purpose
Freddie’s Ataxia Fund was born from a vision shared by 15-year-old Eilidh Kiddie, who was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) at age 10. FA is a rare, progressive genetic condition that affects coordination, balance, mobility, and more. It’s a tough diagnosis, but Eilidh’s determination to help others like her is what sparked the creation of this charity—and the impact is already being felt.
Building the Foundations
From July 2024 to March 2025, our core focus was laying strong foundations. In just eight months, we:
* Assembled a passionate board of five trustees
* Developed our business plan and risk assessments
* Registered with OSCR as a Scottish charity (SC053779)
* Built our website and launched our social media presence
* Designed our logo and brand identity
* Created our grant application process
All this groundwork has allowed us to hit the ground running—and it’s only the beginning.
Fundraising Success and First Grants Awarded
Our official launch event was a huge success, with over 200 attendees raising an incredible £7,000 in a single night. Additional generous donations from local businesses brought our total fundraising income to £21,224.75 in our first year.
We’ve already started putting that money to good use. **Two individuals living with FA in Tayside** have received grants totalling £2,206.97 to help improve their quality of life through therapy and equipment.
Thank You to Our Supporters
We owe a huge thank you to every single donor who helped us bring Eilidh’s dream to life. Special thanks go to Lothian Family Trust, Bakers, GibsonWells, Heal Physiotherapy, and others who gave anonymously.
We also want to recognise the amazing energy of Lynn Colwell, who joined our board in February and played a key role in organising our launch night entertainment. With her on board, the future of FAF fundraising looks very bright!
What’s Next?
Looking ahead to 2025/26, our goals are clear:
* Raise more funds through sponsored events and partnerships
* Build connections with local and national organisations
* Increase awareness of Friedreich’s Ataxia
* Encourage more grant applications from individuals in Tayside living with FA
We’re keeping our costs low so that as much of your support as possible goes directly to those who need it. Our aim is to keep a small reserve of £3,000 for operational needs and unexpected expenses—everything else goes toward making lives better.
Stay Connected
To follow our progress, support upcoming events, or apply for a grant, visit our website: [www.freddiesataxiafund.co.uk](http://www.freddiesataxiafund.co.uk). You can also connect with us on Facebook for news and updates.
Together, we can make a meaningful difference.
