Approximately 1 in 30 babies in the UK are born with a health condition that will affect them, and their families for the rest of their lives. For instance, every year:

• Pre-eclampsia kills 3 to 5 women and as many as 500-600 babies
• Spina bifida affects around 17,000 children around the world
• Neuroblastoma is the leading cause of cancer deaths in 1 to 5 year olds
• 370 children are diagnosed with Leukaemia in the UK
• Over 1,000 children die or suffer permanent brain damage because of a shortage of oxygen at birth

This is just a snapshot of the many different conditions that affect children.

Our challenge is to change these statistics.

Our mission is to help all babies be born healthy and stay healthy. We raise money to give all babies the best start in life - a healthy one.

Our research, carried out by leading doctors and researchers nationwide, is saving and improving the lives of children throughout the world. Our most recent medical achievements include: 

• Identifying a gene that may protect against all cancers including neuroblastoma - the biggest cancer killer of the under 5's
• Leading the world's biggest study into club foot, where our team is identifying the key genes that rob so many children of a fully active life
• Identifying the genes that are believed to be the cause of spina bifida
• Contributing to the development of brain cooling equipment that is reducing the incidence of brain injury and cerebral palsy in babies

Our vision is for a world where all babies are given the best possible start in life and where a medical condition or disability at birth is not a barrier to opportunity and fulfilment. We aim to achieve this by funding high quality medical research that is intended to have a practical and positive effect on the lives of children.