Here we are again, approaching the end of another year and with it an opportunity to pause and reflect on what has been a busy, productive, and deeply meaningful year for the charity.
Over the past twelve months, Haemophilia Scotland has continued to grow and improve the services we provide to individuals and families across Scotland affected by bleeding disorders. It has been a year marked by positive change and progress in several key areas, and one that I can look back on once again with pride.
During the year, we delivered a wide range of events across Scotland, reflecting our ongoing commitment to provide more local opportunities for our members to connect. Two events stand out in particular. Our Recently-Diagnosed Weekend at Crieff Hydro in June brought families together to hear from leading medical professionals and from other members sharing their own experiences of diagnosis and adjustments to their family life. It was a warm, friendly and very supportive weekend and it was wonderful to see so many new connections being made. Our AGM and Member’s Day at Edinburgh Zoo also saw record attendance, giving members the chance to relax, socialise, and engage with the charity in an enjoyable and informal setting.
This year also marked the long-awaited start of compensation claims for members infected by contaminated blood who were registered with a support scheme. Throughout this process, Haemophilia Scotland has worked to provide clear information, advice, and support as details became available, and we will continue this work into 2026 as the scheme expands to include affected members.
None of this would have been possible without the efforts of the many individuals and organisations who support our work. We are deeply grateful to the staff at Scotland’s haemophilia centres who help raise awareness of our services, to our trustees and other volunteers who give their time and expertise so generously, and to the partner organisations who support us in a variety of ways.
I would also like to extend special thanks to everyone who supported us through fundraising activities this year. We were humbled by a record number of donations and by the commitment shown by those who took on physical and personal challenges to raise much-needed funds. Like many third-sector organisations, financial pressures remain an ongoing challenge, and this support makes a genuine difference to our ability to continue our work.
Above all, on behalf of everyone at Haemophilia Scotland, I want to thank most of all our members. Your engagement, participation, and willingness to share your experiences shape everything we do. By attending events, providing feedback, and supporting one another, you help strengthen the community that sits at the heart of our charity.
I hope everyone is able to enjoy some well-earned rest and time with those close to them over the holiday period. Thank you for being part of our community, and we look forward to what the coming year will bring.