Still Looking for Christmas Presents?

MAD Sale - 50% off all jewellery, watches and cufflinks 

Using a limited time discount code, grab a festive bargain and help people with Crohn’s and Colitis as well.

M.A.D. (Make a Difference) is a jewellery store with a difference. They stock thousands of beautiful, affordable jewellery designs and sell them not to make a profit - but to change the world. Whenever you make a purchase from M.A.D. they pass 100% of the profit on to the charity of your choice.

50% OFF ALL ORDERS - Use the discount code: MADGOESMADValid from Friday 29th November until Monday 2nd December.

• Visit the M.A.D. jewellery website

One Week to Go - Christmas Cards

Send our Christmas Cards to your family, friends and colleagues, and not only will you be raising funds for our charity, you will also be raising awareness as each card is printed with our logo.

All cards come in packs of 10 and with prices starting from just £2 per pack (20p per card) they are great value too.

Designs include traditional scenes, jolly santas, the nativity and a merry little robin so there really is something for everyone.

Order before Monday 2nd December 2013. Stock is limited so please order early to avoid disappointment.

• Visit our Christmas Cards shop
• Download our Christmas Cards brochure (PDF)

They Want to Raise the Prescription Charge to £10

Prescription Charges Coalition response to Reform proposals to increase prescription charges

Proposals released today by think tank Reform, include increasing prescription charges to £10 an item and increasing the cost of the annual Prescription Prepayment Certificate to £120.

David Barker, Chief Executive of Crohn’s and Colitis UK, lead organisation for the Prescription Charges Coalition of 29 charities and professional organisations, concerned with the impact of prescription charges on people with long-term conditions, said:

“Prescription charges currently stand as a barrier between people with long-term conditions of working age and their essential medicines. Research shows that many are already struggling to pay for the medicine that will keep them well or even alive; they are being forced to make impossible decisions between paying for food, heating, rent or their medicines.

People with long-term conditions would be disproportionately affected by any increase in charges, which could have a disastrous impact on their quality of life and health outcomes, potentially resulting in significant knock-on costs to the NHS, employers and the benefits system. Current measures to protect those on low incomes are vastly inadequate. As many with a long-term condition have a reduced income, this highlights the lack of thinking behind these proposals.

The current system for prescription charges and exemptions was established in 1968 and is due for reform. However, any proposals need to be based on research of the full costs and consequences for these, often young people, who rely on medication on a daily basis throughout their lifetimes. It is clear from the evidence that already exists that increasing prescription charges is not the answer and would represent a critical additional burden for those who can ill-afford it.”

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society issued this response on their website and twitter feed.

We are very pleased to see that the British Medical Association remains opposed to charges and the Department of Health has restated their commitment to an NHS that is free at the point of use, with access based on need and focused on providing excellent care.

However, it is clear that current prescription charges already run counter to this. What are your thoughts? Do you get a Prepayment Certficate or pay as you go? How would this effect you?

Support for Young People

If you follow our blog and have visited our website Me and IBD, you'll know that the number of

young people getting diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease each year is a whopping 10,000 (that's out of 18,000 who will be diagnosed in total). Despite preconceptions, IBD is a young people's disease.

So we're reclaiming it! We're talking about it and sharing experiences. If you want to read real life stories, just do a search in the box (top left) for "Guest Blogger" and you'll be able to read all sorts of stories from all sorts of young people. They're raw and honest, funny and bittersweet. But they're all true and they're available for you to read.

If you have a problem that is niggling you, or a burning question and you should be able to find the information you're looking for on the Me and IBD website or the main website (which has lots of Information Sheets). 

                    If not, why not give us a ring?


We have a number of helpline services available to everyone (not just members).

The services are designed to provide information and support, regardless of your situation or background. These include:

• People who have recently been diagnosed with IBD and those living with the condition for a number of years

• Friends, relatives, partners and carers

• Young people and the parents of children who have IBD

• People who are looking for information about the condition and the impact that it has on day-to-day life

• Those who need emotional support

• Anyone who needs help with practical matters, such as finding out about, and applying for, disability benefits

You're never alone in this, we're here to help and support you wherever we can.

Your Local Group...

Each local group is run by an organising team of volunteers, and is funded entirely by local

fundraising. They provide the opportunity for anyone affected by IBD (for example patients, their families and friends) to meet other people who understand the challenges of living with the conditions, and can also support them to access information and support from the national charity. The activities vary from group to group, but can include:

• Groups hold meetings that can range from informal 'get-togethers' to meetings on specific subjects, such as diet, research etc.
• They carry out a wide range of activities that raise awareness in their communities, eg information stands and social events.

For a full list of the Group locations (there are lots!) please visit the Groups pages on our main website.

Plus you can download a PDF of exactly what the Groups can do for you here.

Give As You Shop

Check out our Me and IBD news pages to find out how to donate to Crohn's and Colitis UK whilst you do

your Christmas shopping (or even your supermarket shop)... yes, that's right. And it doesn't cost you any more!

FIND OUT MORE!

Leeds Lord Mayor's Appeal Raises Over £38k

The formal cheque handover took place on Monday 4 November and an amazing £38,165.88 was received from the Leeds Lord Mayor's appeal.


A huge thank you needs to be given to Councillor Ann Castle, former Lord Mayor, for choosing Crohn’s and Colitis UK to benefit from her year in office.

A special mention must also be given to the Leeds and District Group who worked so hard on this project and managed to recruit so many volunteers throughout the year.

Part of the money raised has gone towards IBD services at Leeds Royal infirmary as well as the purchase of two capsule endoscopy machines.

L>R Suzi Clark (Director of Marketing and Fundraising), Councillor Ann Castle (former Lord Mayor), Alex Demain (Marketing and Fundraising), Graham Bell (Leeds Group Chairman) and Dr John Hamlin (Gastroenterologist).

Related Links

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• Leeds and District group