Since 2000, we have been raising money for children with sickle cell and thalassaemia, both diseases which affect significant numbers of people in the Haringey community. Much of the money has been raised by donations received at the annual Broadwater Farm Family Gospel Festival on Broadwater Farm in Tottenham. Since the pandemic, the Festival has been held at Tottenham Baptist Church (699 High Road N17 8AD). This year's event takes place at 7pm on Saturday 12 October 2024. The money raised is donated to the Haematology Department at the nearby North Middlesex University Hospital. 

Sickle Cell Disease is the name for a group of inherited health conditions that affect the red blood cells. It is particularly common in people with and African or Caribbean family background.

It can cause painful episodes called sickle cell crises (which can be severe and last up to a week), and an increased risk of serious infections, strokes, lung conditions and anaemia.

Thalassaemia is the name for a group of inherited conditions that affect a substance in the blood called haemoglobin. It mainly affects people of Mediterranean, south Asian, southeast Asian and Middle Eastern origin.

It can cause anaemia – severe tiredness, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeats. It may also cause fragile bones and reduced fertility.

(Information from NHS UK website)