Registered Charity Number: 1097765

The SMA Trust is a UK registered charity working to fund medical research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The ultimate goal is to find a cure, but equal emphasis is given to finding ways of alleviating the symptoms for those suffering from the disease. The Trust was set up in 2003 by the Knight family following the discovery that Ben Knight had Type III SMA.

Over £1.7 million has been raised for The SMA Trust over the past three years and is being used to support a number of Spinal Muscular Atrophy research projects. The year 2007 marked the Trust’s first solo commission, providing nearly half a million pounds to a major research programme at Oxford University – (read more About the SMA Trust).

NEWSFLASHES

SMA Europe’s second Call For Projects is announced
The SMA Trust is closely involved with SMA Europe’s international research funding effort. Following the success of the 2008 Call for SMA Research Projects, SMA Europe announces its second call (See SMA Europe Call for Projects 2009)
Please follow the link http://www.smaeurope.afm-france.org for application details.

UK SMA Researcher’s Conference
This is to be hosted this year by Dr Tom Gillingwater at the University of Edinburgh and will take place on Monday and Tuesday, October 5 and 6. Booking details will be published in due course. The Conference is sponsored by the Jennifer Trust for SMA and The SMA Trust.

The SMA Trust's Trustees include:

Andrew Knight Chairman, with a specific responsibility for fund raising
Marita Crawley (Mrs Andrew Knight)
Sir James Gowans CBE FRS – the Trust’s Scientific Adviser
Casimir Knight (father of Ben Knight) Executive Trustee
Hugo Pickering (father of Harry Pickering, who died of SMA) is Communications Trustee

Administration

The Trust is run voluntarily by the Trustees. Jessica O’Hagen DPT is retained as Consultant Advisor on SMA Research to keep Sir James and the Trust informed on research centres in the UK and abroad, and to assist on specific projects. Karen Elder is the Trust’s part-time, paid administrator. She provides the communication point for the Trust and support for the Trustees.

Fundraising

The Trust is looking to raise funds for further research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Both small and large contributions are welcome. If you can help, and would like a private discussion or a presentation about our work, we would be delighted to hear from you.