We started 2014 without our Chairman Dr Gordon R B Skinner who established the Vaccine Research Trust in 2002. He sadly passed away on the 26^th November 2013, however, we are extremely grateful to our Trustees, Volunteers and Staff for working tirelessly to ensure the Vaccine Research Trust continues. With the help of our dedicated volunteers we were able to carry out a number of fundraising activities including a summer fete. Many of Dr Skinner’s patients donated generously to the Trust in memory of Dr Skinner.

The funding has enabled the Trust to continue with pivotal research into investigation of the relationship between blood tests and clinical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism in patients who have normal thyroid chemistry but are ill with disease. Funds permitting, we hope to start a cross-reactive vaccine project which will help continue the traditional work of the Vaccine Research Trust. We have also continued to take students for work placement and have assisted a number of school and university students with understanding scientific research. The Trust has also provided valuable help to pre-University students with their personal statements and interview practice, particularly for medicine and dentistry. This area of the Trust’s work is extremely satisfying and has helped many students who would not normally have received the one to one training. Our students are very grateful and they continue to visit us after they have started their University degrees and careers. The Trust will carry on raising funds through fundraising events and grant applications to continue the valuable research.

We are hosting a fundraising evening on the 13th June 8.30-late and we will have the Figits band playing their superb tunes and tracks.