Generous employees at Birmingham-based HealthTrust Europe have broken the company’s fundraising record by raising a total of £8,212.73 for Duchenne UK.

The amount is the Edgbaston company’s highest annual total raised for a charity to date and highlights the company’s commitment to the care and improvement of human life.

During 2018 HealthTrust Europe members of staff took part in dress down and dress up days, a charity raffle, a cake sale, and awareness & educational activities. However, the major event was November’s five and 10k runs in Sutton Park which resulted in a massive boost to funds of more than £3,000. The total donation made via HealthTrust Europe’s JustGiving webpage was in the top three per cent of such pages in the UK for fundraising in November.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) affects 1 in 3,500 boys and is the most common genetic disease diagnosed in childhood and is caused by a lack of the protein dystrophin that affects the entire body. The illness almost always affects boys, and they tend to be diagnosed before the age of five. There are around 2,500 patients in the UK and an estimated 300,000 worldwide.

HealthTrust Europe helps health and care providers save money by sourcing best value products and services to deliver healthcare. The company provides solutions that are patient-centred and clinically-led, driving quality, safety, service and price.

Dennis Robb, CEO said: “I am delighted that colleagues supported Duchenne UK over 2018 with so much enthusiasm and generosity, and I am proud that we have been able to contribute to fighting this condition.

“This wonderful result exemplifies our mission to improve healthcare in the communities we serve.”

Emily Crossley, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Duchenne UK said: "We would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the staff at HealthTrust Europe for their continued support of Duchenne UK. We are so grateful to you for raising an incredible £8,212.73 in 2018. We are a very ambitious and focused charity so every penny you raise will help us to fund research in to treatment and a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy."

Duchenne UK funds research into treatments and a cure for DMD including funding research posts and clinical trials at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, which is also the first hospital to become a DMD Hub site.

More information about DMD can be found on the Duchenne UK website.