Thank you for visiting the Belgravium fundraising page. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is Belgravium Technologies nominated charity for the period ending 31st December 2008.

We'd like to highlight the plight of two CF sufferers as the most effective way of explaining why we have chosen this particular charity and why the drive for a cure is so important.

The girl on the left hand side of the picture is Alice Martineau. Alice was a talented singer-songwriter who could list the likes of Robbie Williams amongst her many fans. She achieved one significant dream.…to leave a musical legacy in the form of an album. Her bright and thought-inspiring debut was also tragically Alice Martineau's last album; she suffered from cystic fibrosis and she died only months after finishing recording - a heart, lungs and liver donor could not be found. She was only thirty years of age, the current median for sufferers of CF. Her legacy is an unforgettable album that many people list as one of their favourites of all time ( check out the reviews on Amazon ).

The girl on the right of picture is the niece of a Belgravium employee, Beatrice ‘K’ Miner. Beatrice is an amazing child. Like all CF sufferers Beatrice’s life revolves around medical intervention to minimize her condition. Conventional treatments for CF include the use of physiotherapy, antibiotics and pancreatic supplements. CF sufferers are also highly vulnerable to bacteria and viruses that others would simply shrug off. Despite her physical symptoms, her daily regime and her vulnerability, Beatrice manages to attend an ordinary school and lives life to the maximum. She’s just celebrated her seventh birthday and loves the things that all girls of that age do…….. ballet, sleep-overs and imaginary friends ( her current imaginary  boyfriend is a rapper, apparently ! ).

HOT NEWS - Beatrice has just appeared on NBC TV in the US. Check out this link to view the video

http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=15485&2=38p=

Beatrice and all her fellow CF sufferers now have a ray of hope. Real progress to alleviate the disease is seemingly within the grasp of scientists. The identification of the gene responsible for CF (the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator or CFTR protein) in 1989, was responsible for the advent of potential new treatments for CF. Gene therapy, the transfer of a normal copy of the CFTR gene into the lungs of CF patients, was proposed as an attractive new option. The scientific principle of gene therapy for CF is a sound one and the technology already exists to transfer the CF gene into the airway cells in man but there are still challenges ahead of the field……and, guess what, lack of money to fund continued research and trials is likely to be the biggest barrier to rapid progress.

So, it’s simple really. we're asking you to pause for a moment. Is there anything more worthwhile you could do today than to donate to a cause that will directly extend the lives of sick children and young adults ? If you're a supplier to Belgravium and you generously give us gifts at Christmas.......we'd much rather you add a little to this campaign instead.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: Cystic Fibrosis Trust will receive your money electronically and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.

Please donate generously.

Many thanks for your support.

Mike Turner, Group Marketing Manager, Belgravium Technologies ( on behalf of Beatrice & all the other courageous CF sufferers )