Who They Are

Sparks is the only children's charity in the UK that funds medical research across the whole spectrum of paediatric medicine. Founded by sportsmen grateful for their own good health Sparks aims to give all children the chance to be born healthy and stay healthy so that they, too, may share the joy that comes with playing a sport or simply being able to walk or run. That is why Sparks continues to benefit from the active support and patronage of today's sporting heroes and heroines. Sparks tackles conditions as diverse as brain damage, premature birth, meningitis, childhood cancers such as leukaemia and neuroblastoma, and childhood arthritis.

Sparks fundraising activities range from neighbourhood coffee mornings, school fun runs and local 5-a-side soccer cups to star-studded gala balls, golf days, clay shooting, polo tournaments and fashion shows. Remarkable Sparks supporters have even been known to walk and cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End and row across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Dedicated individuals, corporate partners and celebrities are united by a single common goal: raising the money that brings health, hope and happiness to the lives of babies and children and those who love them.

What they do

Sparks' mission is to give every child the best possible start in life, a healthy one. Childhood cancers, meningitis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, brain damage and the complications surrounding premature birth are just a few of the research areas to benefit from Sparks funding. The very lifeblood of Sparks's fundraising mission stems from our exciting calendar of events. Celebrity golf days, glamorous social balls, marathons, half-marathons, corporate partnerships, overseas challenges, celebrity auctions, clay pigeon shoots, polo, rugby, triathlons, soccer and cricket tournaments, fashion shows, all play a crucial role in the fight to achieve the ambitious goal set.

Today, that distinguished lineage is continued with the involvement of such household names as Martin Johnson CBE, Sir Matthew Pinsent, Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Trevor Brooking, Lawrence Dallaglio MBE, Jason Leonard OBE, Colin Montgomerie OBE, Tim Foster MBE, Ray Clemence MBE, Gabby and Kenny Logan and many, many more.

Why They Need Donations

All donations are invested in pioneering paediatric medical research in the UK to help improve the health of Children in the UK. Sparks plays a crucial role in supporting the highest quality medical research for children and without the help of our fundraisers and donors this would not be possible

Why We Are Supporting Them

This charity was recommended on the forum by several of our members. While not directly sport related, because of the heavy involvement of sportsmen and women in the charity we felt it was a worthwhile charity for OLBG to support.

See there website for more information: Sparks