Dundee Family Raises £20K+ for Rare Genetic Condition
A Dundee family who launched a charity after two of their children were diagnosed with a rare genetic condition has raised over £20,000 to support others living with the condition.
Around 260 guests joined Sally and Graeme Kiddie and their three children at the Freddie’s Ataxia Fund (FAF) ball, held at the Apex Hotel in Dundee at the weekend, with guests enjoying a grand prize draw and silent auction.
Bruce Aitchison of Happiness is Egg Shaped hosted the evening and interviewed Eilidh and Ruaridh Kiddie about their experiences living with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA), alongside Paralympian Derek Rae. Former professional footballers Christian Dailly and Steven Tweed also took part in interviews, sharing highlights from their careers.
Freddie’s Ataxia Fund was established in 2025 by the family and friends of 18-year-old Eilidh Kiddie, who was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia in 2019. Her brother Ruaridh, aged 14, was diagnosed earlier this year and also lives with the rare, inherited and progressive neurodegenerative condition. Affecting approximately 1 in 50,000 people, FA impacts balance, coordination, mobility, fine motor skills, and can also cause significant fatigue, among other symptoms. The charity raises funds to provide financial grants to people living with FA, helping with the additional costs associated with the condition.
The ball follows the charity’s first anniversary event, held at Harris Academy earlier this year, where Eilidh previously attended and Ruaridh is still a pupil. That event raised around £6,500.
Mum Sally Kiddie said, “Our charity provides financial grants to contribute to the costs of adapting to life with FA, whether it’s the cost of a wheelchair or digital learning kit, or funding physiotherapy or mental health support.
“We would like to thank every single person who donated on the night, and remotely through our live auction, as well as the powerful role models who joined us to share their stories and inspiration. Now we will be able to do so much more to support those living with FA. We’d urge anyone living with the condition to get in touch.”
For more information about Freddie’s Ataxia Fund, visit https://www.freddiesataxiafund.co.uk/
ENDS