The South West Thames Institute for Renal Research is one of only three independent renal research institutes in the country. Without financial support our research institute would cease to exist and our research would come to an end.

 The financial support comes mainly from donations, fundraising, grants, and legacies. Funds are raised by the individual branches of the Kidney Fund and some of the fundraising is done by the Institute through the Kidney Fund.

Between them, members of the South West Thames Kidney Fund and the staff of the South West Thames Institute for Renal Research are constantly trying to come up with new and interesting ideas for fundraisers and we WELCOME help and ideas from everyone.

If you would like information on sponsoring/supporting our fundraisers, or making a donation, please go to www.kidneyfund.org.uk

Our most heart stopping events to date have been the two Fire Walk's. The first was held in November 2003 and the second in October 2006. It was fairly difficult to persuade all those people to walk on a 20 foot bed of red hot coals - but despite our fears, we all had tremendous fun, especially those who watched! Just those two events raised over £26,000!

A very exciting annual event, and our biggest fundraiser, is the Flora London Marathon. The Kidney Fund holds five annual guaranteed golden bond marathon places and each year we are contacted by runners who have been unable to get a balloted place. We also welcome to our team any runners who have received a balloted place, and would like to raise funds for renal research. The Kidney Fund's 2007 Marathon team was 12 strong, led originally by Dr Jonathan Kwan who unfortunately had to withdraw a couple of days before the event due to a foot injury. However, his supporters generously allowed their sponsorship to go to the entire team, and Dr Kwan fulfilled his obligation by running the Edinburgh marathon. Despite this setback, the team raised £40,000 which will help considerably towards funding a further year of research at the the Institute. The 2006 9-strong team, also led by Jonathan Kwan raised the amazing total of £65,000, and our 2005 team, led by Dr Michael Bending raised a fantastic £53,000.

Another annual event is the Hydro Active Women's Challenge a 5K fun run/walk/stroll for women of all ages and physical abilities. 50 women represented, and raised money for, the Kidney Fund in the 2006 Challenge and a great time was had by all. We are hoping to have a record breaking number of women in the 2007 challenge to be held on September 16.

During the past years, patients and/or their friends and family have raised funds through such diverse and creative activities as:

Bungee jumping; coffee mornings; the sale of summer fruit, home-made Xmas cards and chutney; a 'Stars in Their Eyes' karaoke night; half marathon's; dances; sponsored cycle rides; a 'Three Peaks Challenge'; requesting that donations be made to the Kidney fund in place of gifts for a special occasion; a sponsored mobility scooter ride; a 13 mile charity walk - to name but a few. Many many thanks to all who have helped.

These funds, together with grants, support the salaries of our researchers, the purchase of ever advancing research equipment, and the expensive supplies needed for the actual research.