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10 Years Service

10 Year Anniversary

In 2023 we celebrated 10 years serving the vascular EDS community, from kitchen table to global support it's been an amazing journey so far.

The charity was founded in January 2013 by Jared and Sarah Griffin, after their daughter Annabelle was diagnosed with vascular EDS at the age of 3. 

Annabelle’s Challenge has grown to become a leading organisation for information and advice on vascular EDS, liaising with health care professionals to raise awareness and increase knowledge and management of the condition. 

In addition to tirelessly campaigning for research and funding for vascular EDS, the charity also runs a dedicated helpline for newly-diagnosed families, working closely with the EDS National Diagnostic Service, a highly specialised service commissioned by NHS England with clinics based in Sheffield and London. 

Here's to the next 10 years!

Best wishes from Team AC.

Celebrating 10 years!

Our Achievements

January 2013

Annabelle's Challenge was established on 11th January 2013 to help raise awareness of vascular EDS.

May 2013

Media campaign launched by Elizabeth Wilson featured on ITV, the national press and front page of the Bury Times.

May 2014

Annabelle's Challenge achieves UK charity status, a major milestone during May EDS awareness month.

May 2015

REDS4VEDS Day launched in May 2015, now an annual campaign to wear red and share on social media with #REDS4VEDS

May 2017

We host the world's first vascular EDS Conference with EDS UK & EDS Diagnostic Service. 
200 delegates attended.

June 2018

Annabelle's Challenge proudly receives The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
The MBE for volunteer groups.

September 2018

Our first ever family retreat weekend in Blackpool with 30 families attending.

October 2019

We recruited our first patient coordinator to support families affected by vascular EDS.

November 2019

We jointly fund our first ever Vascular EDS Research Project with Ehlers-Danlos Support UK.

March 2020

New VEDS regional support groups launched across the UK. First meeting took place at The Leys just before national lockdown.

August 2021

In August 2021 we were awarded £177,415 in National Lottery funding to support our work with individuals living with vascular EDS. 

May 2022

Annabelle's Challenge and EDS Support UK jointly hosted the 2nd VEDS Conference at the Village Hotel, Manchester Bury.

October 2023

New free, confidential counselling service launched for individuals impacted by vascular EDS in the UK. A partnership with Rareminds.

May 2024

We hit the £1Million milestone since we began fundraising in April 2013. This milestone comes 20 months ahead of our 2025 projection.  

June 2024

Annabelle's Challenge awards £50,000 grant to a scientific research project in the laboratory to create a vEDS zebra fish model.

10

Over 10 years service supporting the Vascular EDS community.

COL3A1

Vascular EDS is caused by a mutation in the COL3A1 gene.

740

It is estimated around 740 people have Vascular EDS in the UK.
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