Welcoming Tizzy’s Mito Mission!

We are honoured to welcome Tizzy’s Mito Mission, based in Chepstow, Monmouthshire. This mission is being led by her loving mum Helen, following Tizzy’s passing in 2018.

You can read Tizzy’s story on our webpage where her story shows how the symptoms of mitochondrial disease can suddenly appear at any point, changing lives forever and bringing isolation and loneliness.

Any support for Tizzy’s mission will be hugely appreciated.

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Welcoming Tizzy's Mito Mission!

Tizzy news image

We are honoured to welcome Tizzy’s Mito Mission, based in Chepstow, Monmouthshire. This mission is being led by loving mum Helen, following Tizzy’s passing in 2018.

You can read Tizzy’s story on our webpage where her story shows how the symptoms of mitochondrial disease can suddenly appear at any point, changing lives forever and bringing isolation and loneliness.

Any support for Tizzy’s mission will be hugely appreciated.

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Welcome to Aria’s Mito Mission

We’re delighted to be welcoming Aria’s Mito Mission to our growing team. Aria and her family are based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Aria’s story story shows how mitochondrial disease can affect many different systems in the body, and how symptoms and a diagnosis can come seemingly out of nowhere.

Aria’s mission is to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease as Aria’s parents hadn’t even heard of mito when the diagnosis came.

Welcome to Aria's Mito Mission!

Aria news

We’re delighted to be welcoming Aria’s Mito Mission to our growing team. Aria and her family are based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Aria’s story shows how mitochondrial disease can affect many different systems in the body, and how symptoms and a diagnosis can come seemingly out of nowhere.

Aria’s mission is to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease as Aria’s parents hadn’t even heard of mito when the diagnosis came.

You can click here to read Aria’s story.

Warmly Welcoming Callie’s Mito Mission!

We are honoured to welcome Callie’s Mito Mission, based in Ardglass, County Down, who has joined our Mito Mission family today.

You can read Callie’s story on our webpage where her family tell of just how rare her particular mitochondrial disease, PPA2, is. Callie’s family are very keen to raise mitochondrial disease awareness. They
also believe that mitochondrial research should have a much higher profile in the medical community, as it could be the key to treating many illnesses not just mito.

Any support for Callie’s mission will be hugely appreciated.

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Warmly Welcoming Callie's Mito Mission!

Callie news imageWe are honoured to welcome Callie’s Mito Mission, based in Ardglass, County Down, who has joined our Mito Mission family today.

You can read Callie’s story on our webpage where her family tell of just how rare her particular mitochondrial disease, PPA2, is. Callie’s family are very keen to raise mitochondrial disease awareness. They also believe that mitochondrial research should have a much higher profile in the medical community, as it could be the key to treating many illnesses not just mito.

Any support for Callie’s mission will be hugely appreciated.

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Welcoming Justine’s Mito Mission!

We are honoured to welcome Justine’s Mito Mission, based in Stoke, Staffordshire. This mission is being led by her loving husband Jason, following Justine’s passing earlier this year.

You can read Justine’s story on our webpage where her story highlights the devastation that mito brings and the complex care issues that can arise for those impacted.

Any support for Justine’s mission will be hugely appreciated.

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Welcoming Justine's Mito Mission!

Justine news imageWe are honoured to welcome Justine’s Mito Mission, based in Stoke, Staffordshire. This mission is being led by her loving husband Jason, following Justine’s passing earlier this year.

You can read Justine’s story on our webpage where her story highlights the devastation that mito brings and the complex care issues that can arise for those impacted.

Any support for Justine’s mission will be hugely appreciated.

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Welcome to Gordon’s Mito Mission

We’re delighted to be welcoming another new mission to our growing team- Gordon’s Mito Mission, based in Oldham, Greater Manchester!

Gordon’s mission was launched by his loving partner Dot at his funeral and celebration of life on 2nd December 2024. Gordon was diagnosed with MELAS and had heart attacks aged 42 and 50 with a stroke in between.

Just before Gordon’s 56th birthday, he suffered a devastating heart attack which unfortunately he couldn’t recover from.

Dot ‘implores anyone with mito to never delay personal plans, excursions or celebrations because the illness is cruel and steals time, plans and futures.’

Gordon’s mission is to help others affected
by mito and to create a lasting and meaningful legacy for a special person who faced too many challenges.

Welcome to Gordon's Mito Mission!

Gordon news imageWe’re delighted to be welcoming another new mission to our growing team- Gordon’s Mito Mission, based in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Gordon’s mission is launched by his loving partner Dot at his funeral and celebration of life  today (2nd December 2024). 

Please read Gordon’s story and discover why Dot ‘implores anyone with mito to never delay personal plans, excursions or celebrations because the illness is cruel and steals time, plans and futures.’ 

Any support for Gordon’s mission will be greatly appreciated.

Welcoming The Singh Family’s Mito Mission

Today we officially welcome The Singh Family from Perth, Perthshire to our My Mito community!

Jacqui is joined by her mum Ruby, her daughter Shishi (22) and her sons Jaeden (19) and Rubyn (10) for their family mission – a first of its kind for our charity.

All the family is impacted by mitochondrial disease and you can read their story on their webpage and about how the illness has tragically impacted their wider family too.

Their mission is to help increase awareness and understanding about the condition within their local communities and to gain more opportunities to meet with other affected individuals and families.

Welcome The Singh Family's Mito Mission

Singh Family's Mito Mission newsToday we officially welcome The Singh Family from Perth, Perthshire to our My Mito community!

Jacqui is joined by her mum Ruby, her daughter Shishi and her sons Jaeden and Rubyn (10) for their family mission – a first of its kind for our charity.

As mito is a genetic condition, all five of them are impacted by mitochondrial disease. You can read their story on their webpage and about how the illness has tragically impacted their wider family too.

Their mission is to help increase awareness and understanding about the condition within their local communities and to gain more opportunities to meet with other affected individuals and families. 

Warmly Welcoming Laura’s Mito Mission!

We are honoured to welcome Laura’s Mito Mission, based in Brixton, South London, who has joined our Mito Mission family today.

You can read Laura’s story on our webpage where she tells of how she received not only one difficult diagnosis – mitochondrial disease – but also a second challenging diagnosis just a few years later.

Any support for Laura’s mission will be hugely appreciated.

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Warmly Welcoming Laura's Mito Mission!

Laura's Mito Mission newsWe are honoured to welcome Laura’s Mito Mission, based in Brixton, South London, who has joined our Mito Mission family today.

You can read Laura’s story on our webpage where she tells of how she received not only one difficult diagnosis – mitochondrial disease – but also a second challenging diagnosis just a few years later.

Any support for Laura’s mission will be hugely appreciated.

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Welcome to Daniel’s Mito Mission

We’re so pleased to be welcoming another new mission to our incredible team- Daniel’s Mito Mission, based in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire!
Daniel’s nan didn’t have good health and we suspect had a form of mitochondrial disease called MIDD, but she was never tested. This led to testing for his mum and uncle, who were both confirmed to have mito when Daniel was around 8 or 9. He was tested at 16 and diagnosed with MELAS (Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like episodes).
Daniel’s mission is to raise even more awareness and funds to bring hope for treatments and a cure for everyone who is impacted by mitochondrial disease. He’s even planning a skydive in 2025 – so watch this space!
You can read Daniel’s story on his webpage here. Any support for Daniel’s mission will be hugely appreciated!
If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Welcome to Daniel's Mito Mission!

Daniel news imageWe’re so pleased to be welcoming another new mission to our incredible team – Daniel’s Mito Mission, based in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire!

Daniel lives with his wife Kay and his young daughter Georgina who will be three in January and is a volunteer at his local community library.

Daniel’s mission is to raise even more awareness and funds to bring hope for treatments and a cure for everyone who is impacted by mitochondrial disease. He’s even planning a skydive in 2025 – so watch this space!

You can read about Daniel’s journey with mito on his webpage. Any support for his mission will be hugely appreciated!

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Mito Meet Up 2024: A huge success!

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.

Mito Meet Up 2024: A huge success!

My Mito meet up 2024 news imageWe’re pleased to report that this year’s My Mito Meet Up was another huge success!

Read on and be sure to check out our fabulous video of the event here on YouTube or at the end of this article.

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!

Mini petting farm My Mito Meet Up

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

medical workshop at meet up

…to research workshops with Dr Maria O’Hanlon, Research Manager at 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…

maria o'hanlon

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

workshop with missionees

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.

arts & crafts

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.

katie's familysue & tony with katie's family

“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…

quiz quiz winners

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.

bereavement table

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.

canal boat canal boat fun

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

petting zoomini farmkate with a duckmini petting farm

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

kids entertainer

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!

sabrina stallgoodie bag

sophie at a stallchristine & danielle

tombolainspiration board

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.”

-Missionee 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 and Sharon Berry, and our counsellor Karen Baker.

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.

building a towergroup pic

Warmly Welcoming Rory’s Mito Mission!

We are honoured to welcome Rory’s Mito Mission, based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, who has joined our Mito Mission family today.

You can read Rory’s story on our webpage where his mum, Pauline, tells of Rory’s diagnosis at a time when mitochondrial disease was much less known of and support was minimal.

Rory sadly died just days before his 10th birthday, leaving behind twins, Gerry and Annie. Annie, now 22 will be running the Oxford Half Marathon raising awareness and funds for mito in Rory’s name. You can read more about her run here.

Any support for Rory’s mission will be hugely appreciated.

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.

Warmly Welcoming Rory's Mito Mission!

Rory newsWe are honoured to welcome Rory’s Mito Mission, based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, who has joined our Mito Mission family today. You can read Rory’s story on our webpage where his mum, Pauline, tells of Rory’s diagnosis at a time when mitochondrial disease was much less known of and support was minimal.

Rory sadly died just days before his 10th birthday, just after becoming a big brother to twins Gerry and Annie. Annie, now 22, will be running the Oxford Half Marathon this month, raising awareness and funds for mito in Rory’s name. You can read more about her run and donate here.

Any support for Rory’s mission will be hugely appreciated.

If you are impacted by mitochondrial disease you can get more information about starting your very own Mito Mission here.