Ardonagh Graduates Half Marathon for Debra UK

A group of graduates from the global Insurance distribution platform, The Ardonagh Group, we're hoping to make a big difference for DEBRA UK, a charity providing pioneering medical research into a group of life-altering skin conditions. Here's a story from one of our own, Rebecca Unsworth, who sufferers with EBS, a mild branch of EB (epidermolysis bullosa), a collection of rare diseases that cause the skin to be fragile and to blister easily.

"When I was a toddler, my parents were contacted by my nursery because I was consistently walking on the edges of my feet. They were accused of buying poor quality and ill-fitting shoes, despite always having invested in my comfort. At 4 years old, it became clear that there was a bigger issue at play. In hotter climates and during summer, I would find walking extremely painful, often forced to walk in bizarre ways to alleviate pain from the blisters on my feet.

After seeking a referral to a dermatologist, I was diagnosed with EBS (epidermolysis bullosa simplex), a relatively unknown genetic skin condition affecting only 3,500 people in the UK, and a mild form of EB (epidermolysis bullosa). Since diagnosis, I have lived with the painful symptoms of this disorder, which predominantly affects my physical activity and ability to walk.

Despite suffering with EBS since infancy, I only heard of DEBRA UK this year. As it turns out, on the spectrum of EB conditions, I was lucky to have inherited the most moderate one. EB encompasses a group of life-changing and sometimes life-threatening skin conditions that cause the skin to become very fragile and tear or blister at the slightest touch. In mild forms of EB, such as mine, blistering mainly occurs on the hands and feet, causing problems with walking and other daily activities. However, the widespread blistering in more severe cases can make the skin vulnerable to infections and extensive scarring can occur. In severe cases, blistering can occur all over the body and even on internal organs. It can also mean a higher risk of developing skin cancer.

DEBRA UK is a pioneer in its field. The charity provides care and support to improve quality of life for people living with EB, and to fund cutting-edge research to find effective treatments and, ultimately cure(s) for EB. Their research portfolio is diverse - previous projects include preclinical laboratory work, research into gene and cell therapies and drug repurposing, as well as projects driving a change in symptom relief for wound healing and cancer therapy.

Fast forward to September 2023, I started a Graduate job with The Ardonagh Group, a global insurance distribution platform, alongside my fellow grads, Imad, Dylan, Myles, and Alice. As part of the grad scheme, we have been encouraged to participate in an ESG project, to independently research and fundraise for a charity of our choice. We're running our very first charity campaign. Having explained my eagerness to support DEBRA UK, as well as my personal connection to the organisation, the other grads were extremely keen to get involved and make an impact for the organisation.

So, here we are! We're a small group of graduates hoping to make a large impact for this charity. To test our commitment, we're running the Richmond Park Half Marathon in June, and to test our patience, we're heading into the kitchen to host a series of bake sales at our office in the city of London. No matter how big or small, your contribution will have a vast impact on DEBRA's position as a pioneering global researcher for EB, in addition to supporting their impressive progress in advancing diagnosis, treatment, and daily management of EB."

Thank you for whatever involvement you intend to have with our campaign, whether that be sharing our page, or making a small contribution to our running efforts. Every action will bring us one step closer to funding crucial research for a cure against EB.

All the best from Rebecca, Dylan, Imad, Alice and Myles @ The Ardonagh Group