ABOUT US
Kids Like Us started in 1992 when a group of staff from the Birmingham Children's Hospital wanted to raise money to take some of their patients away for a weekend of independence.
They organised a fun day with a sponsored walk which gave families a chance to meet, have fun and chat.
Others found their enthusiasm infectious and a group quickly formed to help raise funds for future trips now known as 'independence breaks' or 'break aways'.
In 1998 we become a registered charity. Our aim is to raise funds to help those living with JIA, as well as awareness so that young people are diagnosed quickly and families find help and support as soon as possible.
The committee is made up of some of the original members of the sponsored walk day as well as parents of young people affected and other members who want to help.
You can find out more about our members below.
Meet our Committee Members
Kirsty Turner
Chair, Trustee, Parent, Community Outreach and Committee Member
Kirsty's daughter was diagnosed with JIA at 20 months and was put in touch with KLU. Kirsty joined the committee several years later and is committed to providing support to families like her own living with JIA.
Marion Scott
Treasurer, Trustee, Community Outreach and Committee Member
Marion is now an executive coach, following 25 years in Business, working in finance, and project management. As our newest committee member Marion has joined as she is passionate about making a difference to the lives of all the children whom the charity can reach.
Moira Green
Secretary, Trustee, Parent, Community Outreach and Committee Member
Moira joined KLU after her daughter Louise was diagnosed with JIA aged 8 in 2000. She is part of the team that organises and helps at Family events.
Louise Green
Outreach Lead, Trustee, Community Outreach and Committee Member
Louise was diagnosed with JIA at age of 8. KLU has always been part of her life and since joining the committee, meeting and helping new children & families living with the disease has been her favourite thing.
Gemma Turner
Social Media Lead, Community Outreach and Committee Member
Gemma was diagnosed with JIA at 19 months old and has been involved with the charity ever since. She now looks after our Social Media pages and enjoys meeting and helping families at outreach events.
Founding Members
Irene Bannister
Irene has suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis for over 30 years. Retired Deputy Head of King Edward VIIth High School for Girls in Birmingham, completing over 40 years in the teaching profession.
Tauny Southwood
Tauny is Emeritus Professor of Paediatric Rheumatology, with 35 years experience across the UK, Australia and US. A strong devotee to physical fitness and is an active endurance cyclist and long distance triathlete.
Hear from our Parents and Young People
Over the last year we have taken the time to talk to some of our parents and young people, sharing their own stories and experiences. You can hear from them by clicking on the link below.
To find out more about Kids Like Us
Download our leaflet here
View our annual charities commission report here
View our annual financial information here
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