Epilepsy APPG Letter to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Expand We are hugely proud to put our name to this joint APPG letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, inviting him to a future meeting of the APPG and highlighting the need to take action to avoid further increases in maternal deaths in women with epilepsy.
Spotlight on The Daisy Garland Expand The Daisy Garland are delighted to feature in the 20 Anniversary Edition of Complete Nutrition Magazine, the UK's number 1 clinical, medical and health nutrition publication.
Xander's Story Expand Thank you so much to wonderful Gina and her sweet family for making this beautiful video about their precious Xander.
Cumberlege Report Expand Following the Cumberlege Report 2020 we are hugely proud to put our name to this appeal to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP, asking for clarification of the Government plans to implement the recommendations of the report. Sending huge thanks to Emma Murphy and Janet Williams and their colleagues at INFACT for their strength and determination in their crusade for justice for all those affected by Sodium Valproate use in pregnancy 💜
Summer/Autumn 2020 Newsletter Expand We are delighted to have produced our recent newsletter during lockdown. Please click on the link below to read... Summer/Autumn 2020 Newsletter
Another Keto Success - Nottingham Expand After nearly 11 years of our financial support we are delighted to announce that Nottingham Children’s Hospital Trust has taken over funding our Daisy Garland Ketogenic Service. Pauline Pilling, Therapy Services Manager at the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, told us “I would like to officially and formally thank you for all the amazing support you have given to us over this extended period of time. It has been a great pleasure to work with The Daisy Garland and I will continue to follow the progress of your fantastic work.” Naomi Cox our Daisy Garland Dietitian will continue in her post delivering a high-level service for children and families under her care.
The Role of a Daisy Garland Ketogenic Dietitian Expand Hannah Queenan, our fabulous Daisy Dietitian at Sheffield Children's Hospital, has written an article for Complete Nutrition Magazine on 'The Role of a Daisy Garland Ketogenic Dietitian'. Please click on the link below to read more... Complete Nutrition - Hannah Queenan
Enhanced Support During Lockdown Expand Daisy Garland support spans the UK, from the west country to Scotland and Northern Ireland. During lockdown we were able to increase our support in a variety of ways. Some families found sourcing ketogenic food items especially difficult and in over a dozen cases we were able to source these items and send them to families direct. With low stocks, and in some cases bare supermarket shelves across the country, several of our families took the decision to buy live chickens to ensure a plentiful supply of eggs. We quickly responded to this by launching an on-line Chicken Chat page which was immediately a-buzz with stories, photos and sound advice from experienced chicken keepers, notably Sarah Barker, Daisy Garland Parent Trustee. Several weeks in and it seems everyone is hooked on their newly acquired broods – if all else fails at least there will be eggs for tea! Daisy’s Keto Café, a hub of positive help and support, provided a place for its 481 members to share their lockdown experiences, exchange ketogenic recipes, and offer and receive support and encouragement. One mum told us “The Café provides me with such a strong network of support that I no longer feel alone. I know if I have a worry or concern at 11pm there will always be someone in the Café to help me. There’s no place quite like Daisy’s Café, because everyone just, ‘gets it’” Our website Recipes page received over 20,000 hits in May from families looking for keto menu inspiration and with over 35 easy to follow, across-the-board recipes from breadsticks to boboti, it’s easy to see why! Feedback has been overwhelming with families saying how much they enjoyed the dishes: some said once a week the whole family was able to share the same meal - who wouldn’t enjoy beef nachos followed by blueberry cheesecake? Busy keto mum, Sarah Barker, shared many of her own tried and tested keto recipes all of which went down a storm. Our exclusive keto cookery videos (see below) featuring Chef Derek, and kindly sponsored by Nutricia, have been a big hit too, demonstrating quick and easy ways make keto-friendly bread and cakes as well as yummy main meals and lunch box treats. It has always been our priority to support all the families under our care and help them in whatever way possible and lockdown proved no exception. Welcome Boxes, Care Packs and monitor grants continued to be dispatched daily: no one was left wanting or waiting.
Charity Film Award - Press Coverage Expand We are delighted that the Totnes Times has featured The Daisy Garland Charity Film Award in their latest edition...
New Parent Trustee - Sarah Barker Expand We are delighted to welcome Dr Sarah Barker to The Daisy Garland as Parent Trustee. After leaving Southampton University with a First Class M Chem (Hons) degree, Sarah went on to gain a PhD in chemistry, she is also a qualified Chartered Accountant. A passionate supporter of The Daisy Garland, Sarah’s interest in the ketogenic diet developed when her daughter Isi was diagnosed with West Syndrome; Isi is under the care of our Daisy Garland Ketogenic Dietitian in Exeter. Sarah and Isi feature in our charity film You also can read more about Isi in our latest newsletter and see Sarah cooking up a keto storm in the video section of Recipes from Daisy's Keto Cafe . Sarah and her family run a busy farm in Devon where she is an active supporter of both the charity and the ketogenic diet, giving talks, organising fundraising events and raising awareness. Sarah has raised over £8,000 for the charity and is in training for an Ultra Marathon (50K) which she will be running in May in aid of The Daisy Garland. Sarah’s energy and experience makes her a much-valued addition to our Board of Trustees.
Recipes from Daisy's Keto Café Expand The Daisy Garland is delighted to announce the launch of our new website page - Recipes from Daisy's Keto Café. Click on the link below to browse a selection of downloadable yummy ketogenic meals and treats. 😊 RECIPES FROM DAISY'S KETO CAFÉ
Charity Film Award Winners Expand The Daisy Garland is delighted to be awarded The People’s Choice Award by The Charity Film Awards. Please click the link below to read more... Charity Film Award Winners
COVID-19 Crisis Expand In line with Government COVID-19 recommendations, The Daisy Garland has taken the decision to work remotely as a virtual office. Working virtually means we are still contactable so please don’t hesitate to be in touch by email, telephone, letter and via our website and Facebook page. Our aim is to continue to provide as broad a service as possible during these difficult times to all those who need our help. Please click here to see the wonderful ways in which The Daisy Garland have been supporting families through these difficult and challenging times... COVID-19
Shannah Hatch, Daisy Garland Dietetic Support Worker - Oxford Expand We are so delighted to announce Shannah Hatch as our newest Daisy Garland Dietetic Support Worker! Shannah has joined the fabulous team at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. To read more about Shannah and our team of keto dietitians, please click on the link below... Our Daisy Garland Ketogenic Dietitians
Justine Urwin, Daisy Garland Dietetic Support Worker - Bristol Expand A big Daisy welcome to Justine Urwin, our newest Daisy Garland Dietetic Support Worker, who has joined the team at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children! Justine is truly brilliant and will be a wonderful support to the busy Bristol team and the lovely families under their care. To read more about Justine and our team of keto dietitians, please click on the link below - OUR DAISY GARLAND KETOGENIC DIETITIANS
Charity Film Awards Expand We are absolutely over the moon to learn that we have reached the shortlist for the prestigious Charity Film Awards! A big Daisy 'Thank You' to everyone who has voted for our film 'The Daisy Garland - Capturing The Essence of our Work' in the Charity Film Awards! We will be sure to keep you posted - please watch this space! 🎉🎉
Working in collaboration with fifteen NHS Trusts Expand We are the leading UK charity funding ketogenic dietitians and dietetic support workers who work in NHS hospitals countrywide, treating thousands of children who suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy with the ketogenic diet. Each full-time dietitian costs c.£48,000 pa. Once a hospital has identified the need for a ketogenic service the consultant responsible contacts us to request funding. We offer pump-prime funding, usually for 2/3 years, on the understanding that a business case evidencing the success of the service is put forward to the hospital Trust to ensure that continued funding will be available when our funding ends. Our funding allows NHS hospitals to develop and expand ketogenic services and our proven success rate in Trust take overs has allowed us to make this medical-led diet widely available, free of charge, to families nationwide. In 2019 we funded our first two Daisy Dietetic Support Workers, who work within ketogenic services ensuring lengthy waiting lists are substantially reduced. Our work in the promotion of the ketogenic diet as a therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy has positively changed the way it is viewed by the medical profession and we are thrilled that it has been wholly embraced by the NHS. Our work in this field has been life-changing and is on-going. Hospital Trusts benefitting from our ketogenic funding - Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow Leeds Children's Hospital Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Sheffield Children's Hospital Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham Royal Derby Hospital Birmingham Children's Hospital Oxford Children's Hospital St George's Hospital, London Evelina London Children's Hospital Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading Bristol Royal Hospital for Children Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Derriford Hospital, Plymouth As one of the biggest ketogenic diet services in the UK, with an ever-increasing demand, our waiting list for the ketogenic diet has risen significantly. With timely funding from The Daisy Garland for a new dietitian we will be able to reduce the waiting time for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Dr Shakti Agrawal, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital. Thank you for all of your help to date. It has been great to see the effectiveness of The Daisy Garland service develop and meet the needs of patients and families across the region. We are excited we will now be able to build the service even more to meet the increasing demand, and train other dietitians within the team to ensure the service is a success into the future. Mike McLean, Service Lead Paediatric Dietetics, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh.
Points of Light Expand We were extremely proud to receive a Points of Light award from The Prime Minister, Theresa May, given in recognition for our outstanding contribution to the community.
'TEAMDAISY21' Snowdon trek Expand On the hottest August BH weekend on record The Daisy Garland climbed Mount Snowdon to mark what would have been Daisy's 21st year.
Hannah Queenan, Daisy Garland Ketogenic Dietitian - Sheffield Expand A very warm welcome to our newest recruit, Hannah Queenan. Hannah joins our team of Daisy Garland Ketogenic Dietitians working alongside Hannah Taylor and her team at Sheffield Children's Hospital. Hannah's arrival will provide a long awaited enhanced Ketogenic service.
Hannah Warn, Daisy Garland Dietetic Support Worker - Bristol Expand Hannah Warn, Daisy Garland Ketogenic Dietetic Support Worker, joins the keto team at Bristol Children's Hospital, one of the busiest ketogenic services in the UK.
The Daisy Garland Butterfly Ball - London Expand Our Daisy Garland Black-tie Ball, held in celebration of what would have been Daisy's 21st birthday was an evening to remember. 246 guests enjoyed a sparkling evening in the 5-star splendour of the Chelsea harbour Hotel, London. It was the perfect moment to launch our charity film, which received rapturous applause. our grateful thanks to Will Foxwell for putting the film together for us and to our wonderful Patrons, Jane Asher, Rikki Londesborough and Anne Wadsworth OBE for their valued support in raising awareness of our vital work.
The Daisy Garland film Expand Click on the link below to view The Daisy Garland charity film and learn more about our vital work.
Purple Day (Worldwide Epilepsy Awareness Day) - March 26th Expand 103 big-hearted supporters went purple for us - beards, braids and buns were coloured various shades of purple raising much needed awareness about childhood epilepsy as well as boosting charity funds.
Association of Surgeons in Training Conference (ASiT) - Belfast Expand David and Sara Garland were guest of honour speakers at the Association of Surgeons in Training Annual Gala Dinner in Belfast. David's speech, raising awareness of the ketogenic diet, was very warmly received and generated a great deal of interest. At the end of the evening, Sara and David were presented with a cheque for £1,500, the proceeds of the raffle. We are enormously grateful to ASiT for their support
Daisy Garland ketogenic cookery days Expand Keto pancakes, meringues, tasty main courses and tempting treats were on the menu at our Newbury ketogenic cookery masterclass, leaving our Daisy families feeling encouraged and inspired. The events do a wonderful job of breaking down the barriers and isolation that come hand-in-hand with having a child with drug-resistant epilepsy. Daisy Garland ketogenic cookery days are held throughout the year, countrywide. Keep an eye on our events page and The Daisy Garland Facebook page for up-to-date information.
British Paediatric Neurology Association Conference - Liverpool Expand Karen Wyett and Sara Garland The Daisy Garland was invited to take a stand at the BPNA Conference in Liverpool. With key speakers from around the globe, it was an honour and a great pleasure to be part of this important annual event held for the paediatric neurological community in the UK. Our stand was extremely popular with delegates and speakers as we raised awareness of drug-resistant epilepsy, the ketogenic diet and the important work we do within the epilepsy sector. Daisy Dietitian Vicki Whiteley (centre) presenting Ketogenic Quality of Life Poster.
Collaborating with two new NHS trusts - Birmingham and Sheffield Expand The Daisy Garland work in collaboration with fifteen NHS trusts. Birmingham and Sheffield are the latest two trusts to receive ketogenic funding from The Daisy Garland.
'Time4Me' - family support programme Exeter Expand As part of our Family Support programme we hosted our second Daisy Garland family get-together at Bear Feet, Exeter. Nineteen of our families came along to spend a few hours of relaxed quality time together. Mums, dads, carers and grandparents enjoyed chatting while the children took advantage of the safe, sensory environment to let off steam. Afterwards everyone sat down to a delicious tea, a keto tea for those on the ketogenic diet, and every child left with a special Daisy goody bag. Please keep your eye on our Events page and Facebook page for information about future events. One mum told us - I've had such a brilliant time today, and my shy and retiring nine year-old son has made a new best friend! As a family, we find your ongoing support invaluable.
Daisy's Keto Café - ketogenic parent support group Expand Daisy's Keto Café, our on-line ketogenic parent support group, is a buzzy interactive café, accessed via our Facebook page. This closed, private group is a safe place to share thoughts, discuss worries, exchange recipes, and ask for advice from other keto parents. Marian our Daisy Garland Ketogenic Nutritionist is always on hand offering free ketogenic help and guidance. Family support is our top priority and you will find this in abundance in Daisy's Keto Café
Lothian NHS take over funding The Daisy Garland ketogenic service at Edinburgh Children's Hospital Expand The Daisy Garland are delighted to announce that after funding a ketogenic service for three years at the Edinburgh Children's Hospital, NHS Lothian has agreed to take over the funding. We are exceedingly proud to have initiated and developed this service to a point where its value and effectiveness as a front-line treatment has been recognised
Oxford NHS trust take over Daisy Garland ketogenic funding Expand We are delighted to announce that after nearly three years of Daisy Garland ketogenic pump-prime funding, Oxford Children's Hospital have agreed to take over funding this very busy and highly successful service.
Marian Devlin - Daisy Garland Ketogenic Nutritionist Expand Marian, a former Daisy Garland Ketogenic Dietitian, brings a wealth of expertise and experience to Daisy's Keto Café, our on-line parent support group. Marian is always on hand to help and encourage, compiling tasty keto recipes, offering enhanced support and guidance for families - old and new - on the ketogenic diet.
Raising epilepsy awareness Expand Our raising epilepsy awareness posters are available FREE of charge on request. Please email [email protected] for more information.
The Daisy Garland at Westminster Expand David and Sara Garland were invited to an important meeting at Westminster with senior representatives from NHS England and Dr Sarah Wollaston MP and Chair of the Health Select Committee to discuss the urgent need for improved epilepsy services countrywide and to highlight the alarming increase in numbers of deaths in people with neurological conditions. We asked for steps to be taken making it easier for charities like ourselves, saving the NHS thousands in drugs and inpatient costs, to gain access to government support and funding.
The Daisy Garland award ceremony at The House of Lords Expand Held to recognise and thank some of the very special people who go beyond what is expected of them to help children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The event, attended by 120 guests, was hosted by The Right Honourable, The Viscount Ridley, DL FRSL FMedSci, and was held in the Cholmondeley Room at the House of Lords. Over a sumptuous afternoon tea, the fifty-one award winners were presented with framed certificates There were lots of surprised faces and many a tear was shed. It was certainly an afternoon to remember.
The Daisy Garland feature in The Daily Telegraph Expand Click here to read more about the ketogenic diet and the positive effects it can have on drug-resistant epilepsy.