Kidney Research UK

A new and refreshing fundraising technique has benefited Kidney Research UK with almost £4,000. It has also raised awareness of a life-threatening disease among fans of one of Britain’s most successful and acclaimed bands, HARD-Fi.

New music charity Cato Trust works with big name bands including Scissor Sisters and Keane. They ask fortunate people - VIPs and those on the guest-list who usually get in for free - at live events for a small charity donation. The band can nominate a charity or ask for the money to go towards Cato Trust’s annual charity.

While on tour in the UK, Japan and Australia last year, Richard Archer (HARD-Fi’s singer, songwriter and frontman) was eager to encourage VIPs and those on the guest-list to donate to his chosen charity, Kidney Research UK. Richard has a personal interest in kidney related illnesses as his mother sadly suffered from this debilitating and often misunderstood condition.

Over the past four decades Kidney Research UK has played a vital and significant role in medical research, focusing on the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. The charity also cares for patients and raises public awareness of kidney-related issues.

With a steady rise in unhealthy diets and lack of exercise more people are diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes (the two main associated risk factors of kidney disease). Over three million people in the UK will have their lives threatened by chronic kidney disease. To try to reduce these numbers, it is more important than ever to fund research and raise awareness.

Kidney Research UK is very grateful to Richard, HARD-Fi, Cato Trust and especially the band’s fan base, for investing money and interest in the charity’s work – it will certainly help fund research to save lives.