Over 17,500 people in the UK have Sickle Cell Disorder and each year around 300 babies in the UK are born with it. Children with SCD are at always at a risk of stroke, especially between the ages of 2 and 16 and they experience many lengthy hospitalisations and emergency visits. The main symptoms of SCD are anaemia and episodes of severe pain. The pain occurs when the blood cells change shape after oxygen has been released. The only possible cure for SCD is a bone marrow transplant. SCD children are often not listened to, causing a significant impact on their mental health. They often struggle with fatigue which seriously affects their ability to be at school as well as family relationships. Lack of training at schools means that ignorant teachers often view it simply as an unnecessary disruption to education. The Sickle Cell Society is the only national charity in the UK that supports and represents people affected by SCD. Since 1979 it has set out to improve their overall quality of life by providing information, counselling, caring and advocacy support for those with SCD and their families. They support about 300 children each year, mostly with face-to-face support, a young people's peer mentoring programme, and a free annual retreat for about 50 children aged 6-15 and their families. Both sexes are equally affected by SCD and have equal access to SCS support and services within a confidential and sensitive environment. SCS works tirelessly alongside health care professionals, parents, and people living with SCD to raise awareness of the disorder and utilise a network of volunteers who play an important part in running all aspects of the charity, providing administrative backup, and helping with the fund-raising activities which are fundamental to the essential research and educational projects that SCS undertakes. The BWCF was very pleased to award a 3-year grant to the Society in 2025.