Charity’s joy at windfall
Morrisons grant helps fund vital bowel disease service
A charity set up by a Cambuslang man in memory of his mum has received a grant of £21,000 to support its vital research into the diets of young people living with Crohn’s and colitis.
The aim of the research is to ultimately create unrestrictive and exciting meals that children and young people can access following treatment without triggering a disease flare.
The charity has been helping people living with Crohn’s and colitis access better treatment and care since 2003.
It was lovingly set up in memory of Catherine McEwan, by her son Derek and his family, who continue to positively change the lives of people living with inflammatory bowel disease.
Derek lost his mum to Crohn’s disease when he was just 16 and was inspired to make sure that no-one would go through the same amount of suffering.
The grant was provided by the Morrisons Foundation, who are funded entirely by Wm Morrisons plc.
Because members of Catherine’s family work in Morrisons stores, they were also able to double their individual fundraising efforts through the foundation’s match funding programme, helping the charity’s incredible work go further.
Derek said: “We at the Catherine McEwan Foundation are beyond thrilled by the incredibly generous grant from Morrisons.
“This will make a huge difference to us and to the many people and families we help.
“The money will be used to fund our Crohn’s Disease Diet programme which we have been working on for several years.
“This cash grant will fund the next stage of our research as we push out into six cities across the UK.
“We have close personal connections with Morrisons as family members work there, so to link up like this is simply beautiful.
“Thank you to our new friends at Morrisons – and welcome to the Catherine McEwan Foundation family.”
David Scott, Morrisons Foundation trustee said: “We know that diet is very important for the cause and management of Crohn’s disease.
“The research that the Catherine McEwan Foundation conducts is pivotal in improving support provided to people living with inflammatory bowel disease and the work they have delivered previously is extremely impressive.
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to provide this grant.”