On World Thyroid Day, Sunday 25 May 2025, we are holding a Thyroid Friends’ Day at the Seaside and Butterfly Ball in Broadstairs on the Kent coast.

Hosted by The Thyroid Trust's co-founder and former Director, Lorraine Williams, everyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun. We are aiming to raise vital funds to help The Thyroid Trust do more to make things better for thyroid patients but most importantly we want to just have a fun day, raise awareness and help anyone affected by thyroid disease to feel less alone!

In previous years Lorraine and friends have dressed up as butterflies for World Thyroid Day and generated some publicity and this year will be no exception. Expect some silly outfits. If you love dressing up - join in with that! But it’s entirely optional. No pressure. Do please bring any children you think might like to take part.

There will be some prizes for those in fancy dress who particularly make us smile.

We would also love to see any butterfly themed artwork or crafts that you may like to show at this event. Any donated artworks or crafts will be made available for supporters to purchase to support the charity. We’ll have a table to showcase whatever marvels might materialise along with some literature and merchandise from The Thyroid Trust.

Donations via this page will be hugely appreciated and will go straight to the charity.

You can order Thyroid Trust Tee Shirts from the charity via their website. As all orders are despatched by a volunteer please allow plenty of time for delivery.

Here’s the plan for the day:

All welcome.

Meeting at midday, at the central steps above Viking Bay for a briefing and orientation.

Enjoy a stroll around the delightful seaside town of Broadstairs, take on a butterfly challenge that suits your ability if you’d like to - and walk or run along the coast and perhaps ask your friends and family to sponsor you for that, via this page (send us your details to add on here) or separately - or just relax and enjoy the day.

Get in touch if you’d like details of a route suggestion taking in key Broadstairs landmarks that spell out the word THYROID (don’t miss the Inflatable Giraffe!)

During the afternoon, visit Havisham and Cratchit cafe and the dreamy garden at Bleak House for some butterfly themed snacks and chat with your thyroid friends.

The Butterfly Ball at Broadstairs Bandstand, overlooking Viking Bay, with DJ Johnny Henfrey from Neptune’s Hall, kicks off at 5pm until 7pm. Bring your dancing feet.

Broadstairs is just over an hour, by High Speed train, from St Pancras or two hours from Victoria.

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.