70 years of saving children’s lives

Since its formation 70 years ago, the children’s charity, Action Medical Research, has invested over £131m (over £355m in today’s terms) to help support some of the most significant medical breakthroughs in recent history, including:

• 1960s: discovering the importance of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy to help prevent spina bifida

• 1970s: developing the use of ultrasound technology in pregnancy

• 1980s: creating the matrix seating system to help support physically disabled children as they grow

• 1990s: establishing a vaccine to prevent meningitis

• 2000s: contributing to the development of ground-breaking cooling therapy to prevent brain damage in babies

• 2010s: funding research to reduce stillbirth, helping to save around 130 babies a year in the UK

• 2020s: helping to bring dedicated eyecare services to children in special schools across the UK

The celebratory event at Mansion House London marked 70 years of saving children’s lives and 50 years of Action’s Research Training Fellowship scheme, which funds promising doctors and researchers early in their careers as future leaders in children’s research.