A Solihull volunteer has been given a special award for 25 years’ service to a Birmingham charity which is close to her heart. Margaret Adler, who lives in Shirley, has been giving her time to Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) every week since 1994.
Margaret knows all too well the importance of the charity’s work as her son, Chris, who is now 42, was just 13 when he was diagnosed with the rare and serious liver condition, Wilson’s disease. He received specialist treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and received a life-saving transplant at the Queen Elizabeth.
“These days, thankfully, many children have liver transplants but back then it was very rare,” says Margaret. “We’d never heard of Wilson’s disease and we felt so isolated. We didn’t even know whether Chris would survive for a year, let alone make it to adulthood, so the information and support we received from Children’s Liver Disease Foundation was really valuable.”
Thankfully Chris made a good recovery from his surgery and three years’ later Margaret answered a call from the charity for someone who could spare a few hours a week to help in their Birmingham office.
“I’d got some office experience and I liked the idea of doing something useful,” explains Margaret. “I also knew first-hand what the charity meant to families affected by childhood liver disease, so I went along and enjoyed it so much I’m still here!”
Alison Taylor, Chief Executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation commented: “CLDF is the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all childhood liver diseases, by providing information and emotional support, funds for research and a voice for all those affected. We are not a huge charity, we rely on donations and the input of our volunteers is invaluable. Margaret has been with CLDF longer than any of the staff. Her understanding of our work and commitment to the cause is second to none and we are truly lucky to have her. The award was just a token of our huge appreciation of the time she has given us.”
For more information on CLDF visit childliverdisease.org.
