This year, we were due to host the 37th Microscope Ball at the Hilton Park Lane on Thursday 15 October. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the committee have made the very difficult decision of cancelling this year's ball.

Muscular Dystrophy UK is a charity that relies solely on voluntary donations from events and fundraising, so this was not a decision that has been taken lightly. Particularly as the annual Microscope Ball is it's single biggest fundraising event, having raised over £3m for the charity to date.

Due to COVID-19 Muscular Dystrophy UK are facing a £2.8 million funding gap. Muscular Dystrophy UK need your help to fill this void to enable it to provide the services that the muscular dystrophy community, many of whom are now more at risk, relies on.

Last year, the Microscope Ball raised £380k for Muscular Dystrophy UK. The committee, with the support of the property industry, have agreed to aim to raise £100k this year to ensure that they continue to support this much loved charity.

The property industry and Muscular Dystrophy UK have a 37 year history as a result of the Microscope Ball. Muscular Dystrophy UK are proud of its relationship with the property sector and its continued outstanding support for the muscle-wasting community. The Microscope Ball committee and Muscular Dystrophy UK want to ask the property industry to continue to support us through COVID-19 and beyond so we can continue to be there for those that need it now more than ever.

Well done to Microscope Ball committee members Harry Foster, Jonny Lee and Guy Bowring for kick starting the fundraising and completing their tough challenges!

Thank you to Artemis Interiors & Hunters and ThirdWay Interiors for asking their employees to take on a fundraising challenge for us, as well as making a donation. It was amazing to see so many people get involved!

A huge thank you to Derwent, Exigere, Landsec and Redevco for donating the cost of their Microscope Ball table to Muscular Dystrophy UK, to JMW Solicitors for their donation and pro bono work on the Ball and Ashill Land Limited, Brodies LLP, CBRE, Colliers, Faithdean plc, Knight Frank, LCA, Levy Real Estate, Oxygen Asset Management, Quantem Consulting, Rougemont and Tuckerman for their generous donation, supporting the charity through COVID-19.

Thank you. #MusclesMatter