Crossed Grain November 2021

2 | SUPPORTER NEWS SUPPORTER NEWS | 3 Team Coeliac UK are back! Over the past couple of months, we’ve seen challenge events finally starting to get going again. It’s been amazing to get back out to see Team Coeliac UK at events like the London Marathon, Manchester Half and Royal Parks Half. A huge thank you to each and every one of you. We’re hoping that challenge events will continue as normal in 2022 and we have a bumper selection of exciting events to look forward to including the London Marathon, Great North Run and London 10k. Will you get involved, have fun and raise vital funds for people who need to live gluten free? Visit coeliac.org.uk/run or email the fundraising team on fundraising@coeliac.org.uk to find out more! For this year and next, we are so thankful to be able to count on the Co-op for supporting all our mass participation challenge events and have a number of their staff take part in these challenges. We wanted to share Andy’s story, who took on the London Marathon in October: “I work for Co-op, and we do a lot of work each year to improve our offer for people with coeliac disease. It largely washed over me until a close friend was diagnosed with the disease and had to completely change how they go about their day to day life. In many ways I’ve seen first-hand how much impact this illness can have on such a large proportion of our population. I won’t have been alone in not really understanding the condition, so I’d love to raise awareness as well as money. Coeliac UK improves everyday life for thousands of people, so taking part in an iconic global event while raising money for their work was an obvious choice. Coeliac disease is overlooked too often which isn’t fair – I hope the funds and awareness I raise helps change that” Christmas will be here in no time so don’t delay in purchasing your Christmas cards and gifts! Choose from our range of 16 beautiful Christmas card designs or other Christmas themed goodies, such as pass the parcel games, labels and gift wallets. Simply scan the QR code to go straight to our Christmas shop or visit www.charitycardshop.com/coeliacuk Or you can complete the form enclosed with this newsletter and return it to us in the envelope provided. Remember, when you purchase our Christmas cards or merchandise, we receive at least 15% of the cost. Shop our Christmas range Help us to continue supporting people who need to live without gluten Keeping in touch with our volunteers In September our latest volunteer mini meet up gave an opportunity for our Coeliac UK teams to connect with our Member to Member, Local Group and GUTs volunteers from across the nations. It was an opportunity for them to hear from Coeliac UK and to share ideas and feedback on planned activities. We understand how difficult it has been for our community during the pandemic and we’re so grateful for all the support our volunteers have provided and continue to provide their local communities. Find out more about our challenge events in 2022 in partnership with Co-op: coeliac.org.uk/run A memorial gift is a special way to remember and honour a loved one whilst also helping us to continue supporting those that need to live gluten free. Such as the wonderful donations received in memory of Lillian Collings, a Coeliac UK member since 2008 who sadly passed away recently at the age of 100. Lillian’s son, Ian, shared her story with us . “My mother was diagnosed in her late eighties and found following a gluten free diet difficult at times having been a keen cook and enjoying tasty food. But she joined Coeliac UK and made great use of the information and support that was offered which helped her no end! We will continue to support the charity since both my granddaughter and great niece are sufferers, albeit that they both were diagnosed as infants so please keep up your good work.” For more information about memorial gifts, or leaving us a gift in your will, please contact our Fundraising team, fundraising@coeliac.org.uk for more information, or visit www.coeliac.org.uk/giftsinwills In memory of Lillian Collings Martin and family Ailish Andy