The Reception was hosted by the Rt. Hon. the Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, the Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords. The Baroness visited BIRD in August 2007 following an invitation from one of its local fund-raisers, Mr John Hale MBE. She met research staff and was so impressed by the work going on that she offered to host a Reception to publicise the Institute’s work and to encourage donations and sponsorships to allow that work to continue.

BIRD is an independent charity which raises funds to support research and education into bone and joint diseases. The Institute has close links with both the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bath. Its main aim is to relieve sickness and to promote and advance medical knowledge with particular reference to rheumatic diseases. BIRD seeks to improve treatments for patients through promoting collaboration between clinicians and research scientists. Thus BIRD provides space, facilities and funds to undertake research and organises educational courses for health professionals, patients and the general public.

At the Reception, the research and education work of the Institute was highlighted by a local patient, Mrs Jana James. She recounted how her response to anti-TNF treatment for her arthritis had been a ‘life-changing experience’. Another guest, Professor Nick Goulding of Barts Hospital in London, recalled BIRD’s important role in encouraging his independent research career. The Chair of BIRD, Dr Nick Hall, underlined BIRD’s belief that the best way to help patients is through understanding the disease processes involved and using that knowledge to identify new targets for effective drug development. The anti-TNF drugs now available to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are excellent examples of this approach in action.

BIRD is actively seeking support for its research and education programmes. Donations can be made securely on-line through the BIRD website (www.birdbath.org.uk), or by sending a cheque (payable to Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases) to BIRD, Trim Bridge, Bath BA1 1HD. All donations will be acknowledged.