SAM'S SUPERHEROES FOUNDATION announces new charity partnership with Derby College - Public Services
We are absolutely delighted to announce a new charity partnership with the Public Services team at Derby College - bringing together students, staff and our charity to raise awareness, support fundraising and make a difference for families affected by the rare epilepsies NORSE and FIRES.
A Fantastic Start
The partnership got off to a fantastic start when our founder, Rachel Liew, and Thea Bonham-Kelly visited Derby College’s Broomfield site to speak to Public Services students about Sam, the devastating condition FIRES, and why Sam’s Superheroes Foundation was created in his memory.
Rachel also shared the work we are doing today across our three key pillars of Research, Awareness and Family Support, and how young people can play a meaningful role in helping us create change.
An Incredible Response From Students
We were blown away by how engaged the students were. They listened, asked questions and, following the talk, several came forward wanting to get involved with the charity - from volunteering and fundraising to helping us raise awareness through social media and within their communities.
And they didn't waste any time! Just days after our first talk, Lexi, Brandon and Jess came along to the finish-line celebrations for Sam’s Scootathon, where our team completed an incredible 55-mile kick-scoot challenge from Birmingham to Derby.
Then, just a few days later, students, staff and representatives from the Army Recruitment team were getting stuck into fundraising for our charity in celebration National Fitness Day 'Lift a Million'. Which seemed very apt, for a condition that is said to affect one in a million. The event saw a college team working together to lift a combined weight of one million kg.
The team spent five hours and raised £327.90. This will fund nearly seven hours of family support with a specialist epilepsy nurse and counsellor.
Seeing students from the College turning up to support us, volunteering their time, donating, and fundraising - all within the very first week of our partnership - has been incredible.
What a way to start! We are so excited to see what we can achieve together and where this partnership takes us.
Derby College said:
“We are delighted to be supporting Sam's Superheroes this year. Their story, determination, and commitment to helping families affected by FIRES is truly inspiring. Our Public Services students are passionate about service, teamwork, and giving back to the community, making this partnership a perfect fit. We look forward to getting involved, raising awareness, and doing everything we can to support the incredible work of Sam's Superheroes throughout the year.”
Working Together To Make A Difference
A huge thank you goes to Rob Butler, Public Services Lecturer at Derby College Group, and owner of Upgraded Barbers in Mickleover for his support in making this partnership happen and for getting so enthusiastically behind our work.
For Sam’s Superheroes, partnerships like this are about much more than fundraising. They are an opportunity to educate a new generation about rare neurological conditions, give young people meaningful opportunities to volunteer and contribute to their community, and ensure that families affected by NORSE & FIRES no longer feel invisible or forgotten.
About Sam's Superheroes Foundation
Sam’s Superheroes Foundation is the UK’s only registered charity dedicated to improving outcomes for people affected by NORSE and FIRES. We fund research, raise awareness and provide support to affected families. We are also proud to be the UK partner and ambassador of the NORSE Institute, working alongside the international NORSE and FIRES community.
We are incredibly excited to see where this partnership with Derby College Group takes us.
There are already plenty of ideas — and judging by the enthusiasm we have seen so far, we think this could be the beginning of something very special.
For Sam. For every family affected by NORSE & FIRES.❤️⭐
To read more about our families and their stories, visit our Meet Our Families page.
Rachel Liew - Sam's mum
Founder, Trustee & Director
Sam's Superheroes Foundation
Research | Awareness | Family Support
For rare epilepsies — NORSE & FIRES.
Just some of our NORSE & FIRES Families...
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