Johnston Smillie names SMA Support UK as 2018 chosen charity

Edinburgh-based accountancy firm Johnston Smillie is to build on the £14,500 it raised last year for SMA Support UK after directors and staff voted unanimously to support the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) charity again this year.

The firm took up the cause of raising as much as they could to fight the rare, genetically-inherited neuromuscular condition after Craig Cameron, one of the firm’s own client managers, discovered that his son, Zac, had the condition two years ago.

SMA causes progressive loss of movement and muscle weakness as a result of muscle wasting (atrophy). The condition may affect crawling and walking ability, arm, hand, head and neck movement, breathing and swallowing.

Last year young Zac was selected to be put on the trial of a new drug called Spinraza, the first and only approved treatment for SMA, leading to him seeing significant improvements in his mobility and strength, as well as allowing him to keep in general good health.

As Zac began the drug trial, Johnston Smillie decided to do its part and joined the ongoing battle against the condition by undertaking various fundraising efforts.

These included Zac’s dad Craig and several members of staff taking part in the Kilt Walk, which itself raised over £4,500 of the firm’s annual total of £14,500.

Following last year’s success, Johnston Smillie said its continued fundraising drive for SMA Support UK will see the firm’s annual charity quiz held at Le Monde in Edinburgh, as well as a charity lunch held in November at Turnhouse Golf Club.

And payroll manager, Julie Hunter, along with marketing co-ordinator, Angie Harvey, will swim a mile across Loch Lomond in August when they take part in the Great Scottish Swim.

Announcing the upcoming events and challenges that will also see staff, families and friends of Johnston Smillie organising many more throughout the year, company director, Lea Brash, said: “We are delighted to support and raise awareness of the amazing work of this small charity. Our fundraising efforts will hopefully help provide support to Craig’s family and others who are directly affected by this condition.”

To find out more about the charity work carried out by Johnston Smillie, please visit: www.jsca.co.uk/community