Beat SCAD has marked its tenth anniversary with an incredible fundraising achievement: supporters donated and raised more than £38,000 in 2024-25 to help the charity continue its vital work supporting SCAD patients, raising awareness, and funding research.
From marathons to bake-offs, the SCAD community pulled out all the stops. Runners flew the Beat SCAD flag at major events across the UK and beyond, including Chester, Rugby, London, Brighton, Whitstable, East Yorkshire – and even Milan!
October 2024 proved a standout month. On 6 October, Kyle Evison completed the Chester Marathon, raising £400 in honour of his mum, Kelly, who survived a SCAD. Just days later, William Shields added £480 at the Rugby Half Marathon. The Great South Run brought in thousands more, thanks to fundraisers including Teresa Matthews (£2,798), inspired by a colleague’s SCAD experience, and Aniela Zylinski, who raised £1,176 alongside her partner Lee (pictured) after she survived two SCAD heart attacks.
Aniela’s efforts didn’t stop there – she went on to conquer the London Marathon in April 2025, raising an incredible £3,240. She said, ‘I am excited and honoured to have been offered a place to run the London Marathon… As many of you know, I’m a keen runner, and so this is an absolute dream come true for me.’
Further south, Brighton Marathon runners William Haresceugh (£620) and Bryn Jenkins (£435) joined the cause, while Whitstable saw SCAD patient Laura Lock and friends raise a staggering £3,650. Across the Channel, Oliva Baston-Pitt represented Beat SCAD in Milan, raising £1,286 after her mum’s SCAD diagnosis.
The fundraising spirit continued throughout the year. From Oscar Jones in East Yorkshire (£385) to Marie Bailey and Liz Hutchison with her daughter Michaela at London’s Big Half (£1,185 and £1,679 respectively), and Tasina Lewis at the Vitality London 10K (£195), every mile made a difference.
The Leighton Fun Runners kindly selected Beat SCAD as their nominated charity for the year, after a member’s partner suffered a SCAD, and have been fundraising all year. We look forward to finding out the final total in May 2026.
Not all fundraising champions ran – some walked, climbed, and even swam. Faye-Louise Colgate celebrated her birthday by hiking Mam Tor (£1,420), while Erin Hind joined the Edinburgh Kiltwalk (£130). Jennifer Clarke trekked the Alps-to-Ocean route (£285), and the Vale of Belvoir Rotary made a splash with a swimathon (£1,429).
Creative fundraising also played a part. Allison Lawson raised £510 selling Beat SCAD mugs, while community events like bake-offs and raffles added hundreds more – thanks to Christine Capps, Char Lawrence, the Royal Sussex Lodge and the Forest of Bare Lodge, among others. And the Crouch End Festival choir who raised over £2,150 at their Christmas concert, after a member of their choir suffered a SCAD.
Julie Harris marked her 60th birthday with donations instead of gifts, raising £1,812, and businesses like Forever Treasure, owned by Marie Corbett, pledged ongoing support in memory of a friend who died following a SCAD.
Along with the fundraising events, many of our supporters have made one-off and regular donations – thank you for your generosity.
The SCAD community is so grateful to all who have supported the charity this year. ‘We are overwhelmed by the generosity and determination of our supporters,’ said Rebecca Breslin, Beat SCAD Trustee. ‘Every pound raised helps us fund research and provide support for those living with SCAD.'
Note: Each year, after we have submitted our annual accounts to the Charity Commission, we produce a report that includes updates on fundraising, research and more. This round-up covers our last financial year, 1 Oct 2024 to 30 Sept 2025.
Click here for our research update here and download our impact report here
For previous years’ reports click here.
