Author: Steph Brooks

We’re pleased to report that this year’s Meet Up event was another huge success!
Twenty-three families impacted by mitochondrial disease were represented at our annual event for missionees to meet, socialise, take part in activities & workshops and have a fun weekend away from normal life.
This event was generously funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Thank you to National Lottery Players!

We had lots on offer, from medical workshops with Dr Yi Ng and Dr Renae Stefanetti…

…to research workshops with Dr Maria O’Hanlon, Research Manager, The Lily Foundation as well as Professor Kostas Tokatlidis, Fara van der Schans and Dr Daniela Vitali who video called in from the University of Glasgow…

…and an inspiring journalling workshop with our My Mito Mission counsellor Karen Baker.

We offered relaxing holistic therapies throughout the weekend, kindly donated by Emma Richardson of Hebask Treatments, and Sharon Berry of Alpha Omega Holistics, as well as 1-1 counselling sessions with Karen Baker of KJB Counselling.
Our volunteers worked hard to ensure an exciting, stress-free weekend for attendees, with Chloe, Rebecca, Jason, Sophie, Dawn & Liz running craft stalls and outdoor activities for the kids.

Volunteers Sue and Tony helped to look after missionee Katie’s family across the weekend, building on a very special bond formed at last year’s Meet Up.

“We definitely feel the love. So sad to be home. Phoebe cried for almost the whole train journey and Thomas wants Tony to take him to school. Tony and Sue, you are officially not just Mito Meet Up adopted grandparents, [you’re] forever adopted grandparents.”
-Elaine & Leigh, Katie’s parents

On our first night, we hosted a ‘Speed Meet’ to allow missions to connect with some people they might not have before and ease us into the weekend.
We also had Karen hosting a film and music quiz with prizes for first, second & third place! Our winners were pretty proud of themselves…

Saturday was a big day, firstly with our bereavement workshop taking place in the morning coordinated by co-founder and chair Christine and her husband Peter.

We hosted two medical workshops and two research workshops, to ensure that all who wanted to, could attend.

A few of our missions set sail for Saturday afternoon, enjoying a fully accessible canal boat trip kindly provided by Safe Anchor Trust. We would also like to thank Focus4Hope for the use of their minibus.

We had a visit from Abel’s Mini Farm petting zoo, which was a delightful experience for adults and kids alike!

We hosted an entertainer for the kids on Saturday evening, who ensured they were very entertained with magic, music, and balloon swords!

Our final day came along, much to everybody’s disappointment, but we had a lot of fun at our fundraising and awareness stalls, where missions could spend the ‘tokens’ given out in their welcome packs and get inspired by the ideas that filled the room!

Our BSL interpreter Michelle was incredible, providing interpretation for our hard of hearing missions Louise & Alison.
“What made it so special was having a BSL interpreter, I did not miss a single word! Thank you.”
-Alison

Reviews of the weekend included:
“From the minute we stepped through the hotel door it was like we had met you before, you made [us] so welcome, you went above and beyond to make our weekend special. Thank you just isn’t enough, honestly we are so grateful, you are all gems and a great inspiration. You all must be so proud for the amount of smiles you put on people’s faces this weekend… Can’t wait to meet up with you all again, if only the world was full of a mito family like you.”
“Every minute has been amazing. It feels as though I have known everyone forever. I am blown away at the dedication from every single person! So grateful to have made memories to treasure forever.”
“I have really enjoyed being here and being a part of everything. Everybody is so friendly and I was never made to feel left out. I’ve been made to feel so welcome and it’s been lovely meeting new people.”
“Your volunteers are so amazing, so caring, so kind and compassionate…”
“The best weekend!”

It was clear how much it meant to our missions to have time away from normal life, and to be around people who just ‘get it’.

It’s so important for us to provide this unique experience for people who are impacted by mitochondrial disease. Mito is a cruel, debilitating, potentially life-limiting illness with no treatments or cure, and it can be a very lonely diagnosis.

However, charities like My Mito Mission can make a huge difference, providing support, raising awareness, and inspiring vital research.
A huge thank you goes out to:
Our staff, trustees and volunteers- we couldn’t possibly do it without you!
Our voluntary service providers- photographer John Steel, BSL interpreter Michelle, holistic therapists Emma Richardson (Hebask) and Sharon Berry (Alpha Omega Holistics), and our counsellor Karen Baker (KJB Counselling).
Our medical and research guests, for their brilliant insights.
The staff at Holiday Inn Brighouse, who were an absolutely huge help in every way!
Our videographer Jack Masterson, who ensured a comfortable environment for all involved in our filmed interviews.
And finally, a massive thank you to our funders at the National Lottery Community Fund. Thank you to National Lottery players for allowing us to support people with mitochondrial disease.