At Rayden Solicitors, every year staff at each office have the opportunity to nominate a charity of their choice. This year, the St Albans, Harpenden and Berkhamsted teams decided they wanted to continue to support Rett UK. The charity is close to our hearts as we know it has been a huge source of support for our close friends at Tarragon, Pete Foreman and his wife Emily (who are here with us tonight) as their young daughter suffers from the syndrome.

Rett Syndrome is a rare genetic, but largely not inherited, syndrome which occurs at conception but often does not become apparent until around a year old, when children experience regression and may lose acquired skills and become withdrawn. People with Rett Syndrome have profound and multiple physical and communication issues and are totally reliant on others to care for them and support them throughout their lives. It almost always affects girls and is very rarely seen in boys. There is currently no cure for Rett syndrome and treatment is focused on the management of symptoms, requiring a multidisciplinary approach.

Rett UK is the only UK charity providing professional support to people and their families living with Rett Syndrome across the UK. They are a small team working nationally and don't receive any Government funding. In July 2020 they were awarded the Charity Excellence quality mark, which recognises their commitment to excellence in all areas of their activities.

As part of their fundraising antics, 6 intrepid members of the Rayden team are each going to be jumping out of a plane on 8 July as part of a tandem skydive. The brave team members are Georgina Allen, Anisha Patel and Shefali Maher from the Berkhamsted office; Noa Mozes, Emma Kent and Kirston Jarrett from the St Albans office and finally, Pete from Tarragon – Rayden Solicitors IT gurus. Please donate whatever you can to help them reach their target amount!