Category: Events

Our London Christmas Lights Bus Tour

This weekend, we kicked off the festive season in true Local families with bleeding disorders style with our annual London Christmas Lights Bus Tour and what a night it was! The Routemaster was packed full of excited families, old friends and new faces, all ready to soak up the sights and sounds of Christmas in the capital.

As we pulled up to Oxford Street, we were met with a truly magical moment, Father Christmas himself was waiting at the bus stop! With his trademark “ho ho ho!”, he jumped aboard, leading the bus in festive songs, listening to stories of how good the children had been all year, and giving out gifts to every child. His presence lit up the bus almost as much as the sparkling lights of London!

The lights were, as always, spectacular – Oxford Street, Bond Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and even a few key sights like Big ben and The London eye.  But, what made the evening so special was the warmth and connection on board. Seeing our community come together, chat, laugh and celebrate was a reminder of just how far we’ve come.

We are incredibly proud of the supportive, kind, and caring network we’ve built through our charity. Events like this show the power of community, how shared experiences, fun, and friendship can make such a difference.

A massive thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting this event, and to the one and only Mark Salmen, whose incredible fundraising efforts helped make it all possible.  Also to Anna and Marie who take the lead on the organisation of this event and somehow manage to buy all the gifts and get them into central London!

We all stepped off the bus full of festive cheer and proud to be part of something so special.

Happy Christmas everyone!

#NationalLottery

We had an absolutely brilliant day out at Hobbledown Farm in Epsom with our amazing Local Families with Bleeding Disorders community! A huge thank you to everyone who came along.

The farm is a great venue to bring our families together with children of all ages.  Families were able to explore everything from animals and play areas to the fantastic indoor spaces. For many of our children, it was a day of new experiences — climbing, feeding animals and running free in a safe and supportive environment.

As always, one of the highlights is lunch together.  This is for many of us, a rare chance for families to sit, chat, and connect. The tipi provided a great venue for this.  These shared moments can be just as meaningful as the activities themselves. It is always so heartwarming to see new friendships forming, children finding playmates who understand their world, and parents sharing stories and support.

We’d like to say a huge and very special thank you to Anna, Marie, and Steph especially for organising the day.  Your time, effort, and care meant everything ran so smoothly. These events don’t just happen.  They are made possible by the hard work and attention to detail of our volunteers.  Without them giving their time, these events simply would not be possible or affordable.  Similarly, without the fundraising efforts of our community, we would not be able to host such events.

At LFWBD, we believe that these social events are about more than just a day out. They are about building a community, breaking down isolation, and showing our children (and ourselves) that we’re not alone.

We can’t wait for the next event – our annual Christmas lights bus tour on a traditional Routemaster bus.  We hope to see even more of you there. Saturday 6^th December – bus leaves at 4pm.

Thank you again to everyone who came and made the day so memorable!

As Chair of Local Families with Bleeding Disorders, I’m delighted to share the joy of our annual Summer Picnic, held this year in the beautiful Kensington Palace Gardens. It was a day full of laughter, sunshine, and community spirit.

A highlight of the day was our fantastic circus skills instructor, who had children (and adults!) juggling, balancing, and trying things they never thought they could do. It was wonderful to see everyone pushing themselves a little and having so much fun in the process.

What truly makes this event special is our families. Being together, sharing experiences, and supporting one another is at the heart of everything we do. Watching children make new friends – and realise they’re not the only ones living with a bleeding disorder – is incredibly powerful.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made the day unforgettable. You make the magic happen.

As Chair of our local bleeding disorders charity, I’m delighted to share a little update about a very special afternoon we recently enjoyed. On Saturday, we had the absolute pleasure of treating some of the amazing nurses who care for our families to a well-deserved afternoon tea in London. It was a lovely opportunity to relax, chat, and say a huge thank you for the incredible work they do.

Our nurses are such an important part of our community. Their care, dedication, and compassion make a real difference every day in the lives of families living with bleeding disorders. It was wonderful to spend time together outside of the hospital setting, to laugh, share stories, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

We also took the chance to thank them for the positive impact they have—not just medically, but emotionally and socially—on the families they support. We told them more about Local families with bleeding disorders and hope that they will continue to spread the word about our charity, encouraging families to join us for our fun days out and online support groups.

Our charity exists to bring families together, reduce isolation, and help everyone feel supported and understood. Whether it’s through social events, information sharing, or just having someone to talk to, we’re here for every family.

Thank you again to our incredible nurses. We’re already looking forward to the next time we can spend a little time together, away from the pressures of work. 

I had the pleasure of visiting St George’s Hospital recently to chat with patients and families about Local Families with Bleeding Disorders (LFWBD) and the work that we do in supporting families.
It was a really enjoyable day – great to be invited, and wonderful to meet the families and staff. There was a relaxed atmosphere, and it was a brilliant chance to spread the word about what we’ve been up to at LFWBD and what’s coming up next.
I spoke about some of the events we’ve held recently including our annual picnic, bowling, trips to the zoo, a visit to the Tower of London, Christmas bus rides and more. We’ve had some fantastic feedback from members who’ve told us how valuable these events are for staying connected and informed. We always have a lot of fun and enjoy spending time with others who understand our journeys. Our events are enjoyable and provide valuable opportunities for connection, support and friendship.
It was also a good opportunity to let people know about what’s ahead – including our summer picnic with a circus skills entertainer which is always a hit. We warmly invite more families to join us, whether they have been newly diagnosed or have been navigating life with a bleeding disorder for years.
Thanks again to the team at St George’s for having me – it was great to get out there, meet people, and share the exciting news and updates about the work we’re doing. If you’d like to know more or get involved, we’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact us at info@bleeding-disorders.co.uk

At Local Families with Bleeding Disorders, we deeply appreciate the specialist haemophilia nurses who provide essential care and support. These professionals do more than administer treatments; they empower families, offer reassurance, and ensure that children with bleeding disorders can lead fulfilling lives.

To show our gratitude, we have organised a special Afternoon Tea on Saturday, 10th May 2025, at the Charlotte Street Hotel in London. This event is a small token of thanks for their dedication and an opportunity to connect.

Why Our Nurses Matter

Haemophilia nurses are vital in educating families, managing treatments, and providing guidance. They go beyond clinical care, becoming trusted sources of support and advocacy. Their dedication makes a world of difference to our children’s wellbeing.

An Event to Celebrate and Connect

This gathering is more than a celebration—it’s an opportunity to strengthen our partnership with the nurses who care for our families. We hope they will feel confident directing families to our charity, ensuring more people benefit from our community, events, and resources.

Local Families with Bleeding Disorders is committed to creating a supportive network for affected families. Our social events and support networks help families connect, learn, and find reassurance.

Looking Ahead

We hope this event will foster closer collaboration between our charity and healthcare professionals. Nurses play a key role in guiding families, and their support helps extend our reach.

To all the haemophilia nurses—thank you. Your work is invaluable, and we are truly grateful for your dedication.

As Chair of Local Families with Bleeding Disorders, I feel proud to reflect on the final event of a truly special year – our 5th birthday! This year has been filled with connection, joy, and community spirit, and our final event was a perfect celebration of everything we stand for.

Bringing families together is at the heart of what we do. These events give our members the chance to step away from the challenges of managing a bleeding disorder and enjoy fun, laughter, and friendship. The benefits are clear: children play, parents connect, and lasting bonds are formed. Seeing old friends reunite and new friendships blossom reminds us of how powerful these events are.

For the committee, there’s nothing more rewarding than witnessing these connections. While we work to facilitate these gatherings, it’s the incredible people who attend that make them truly special. Their warmth, resilience, and positivity create the vibrant community we’re so proud of.

Our 5th birthday year has reminded us of how far we’ve come and why our work is so important. As we say goodbye to 2024, we are filled with gratitude for everyone who joined our events, supported our mission, and brought our community to life.

We can’t wait to see what 2025 holds. More events, more connections, and more opportunities to come together as a community are on the horizon. Thank you for being part of our journey – here’s to another year of fun, friendship, and support!

As Chair of Local Families with Bleeding Disorders, I am thrilled to announce the return of our much-loved annual Christmas Lights Bus Tour this December! Now in its third year, this magical event has become a cherished tradition for families living with bleeding disorders.

There’s nothing quite like seeing London’s iconic Christmas lights from a classic Routemaster bus. With the fabulous lights, festive music, and the warmth of community, the evening is a highlight of the Christmas season. But the true star of the night is Father Christmas himself, who joins us on the bus to bring joy to the children. His Christmas carols are not to be missed!  Watching the little ones’ faces light up as they receive their special gifts from Santa is something we all treasure.

This event is so much more than a tour of the festive lights of London.  It’s about families coming together to share in the magic of the season. Children love the excitement of the big red bus, parents enjoy the chance to connect with others in the community, and the presence of Father Christmas makes it even more special for everyone.

The tour has grown in popularity over the last two years.  We are so fortunate to be able to continue this wonderful tradition. We’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers and supporters who make it all possible.

This annual event is a reminder of the strength and joy in our community, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you all again. Join us this December for an unforgettable afternoon filled with lights, laughter, and holiday cheer – and, of course, a visit from Father Christmas himself!

See you there.