Blair Drummond Safari Park was flooded with purple on 15th September 2024, as children living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and their families gathered for an event made possible by the generous support of National Lottery Players.
An amazing grant of £14,000 from the National Lottery’s Awards for All programme enabled the Scottish Network for Arthritis in Children (SNAC) to host a national family day at Blair Drummond Safari Park. Karen Barrie, SNAC Secretary (daughter JIA age 12) said “we were absolutely delighted to be able to bring 100 children with JIA, along with their families, together from across Scotland to meet others, share information and support one another. With 3 coaches organised from Ayrshire and Glasgow; Edinburgh; and Aberdeen and Dundee, this made it one of our largest events with around 400 attendees.”
1 in 1000 children in Scotland are living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, a chronic, long-term inflammatory disorder of the joints affecting under-16s that has no obvious cause. Symptoms can include joint pain, fatigue, mobility issues and the medication to help is usually in the form of injections. Children can often feel alone and isolated, and may not know anyone else in their school or community who have the same condition. SNAC’s volunteer-led events allow families to come together, make connections, support each other and alleviate feelings of isolation for both children and parents.
The day was a huge success with everyone enjoying the animals, the fort, chatting together in the huge marquee and attending the art therapy sessions led by the Teapot Trust. SNAC laid on Lunch & coffee sessions to enable parents and carers to mingle and share information and tips for coping with JIA.
Laura Porter who’s 4 year old daughter has recently been diagnosed with JIA commented “Thank you so much to SNAC for the invite to Blair Drummond Safari Park. Today was our first event after only been diagnosed in March this year. It was absolutely fantastic and so beneficial to our little warriors and their families. I feel like a weight has been lifted. Seeing the sea of purple today, even although it’s horrible to see so many children suffering, raised our spirits and knowing we are not alone is heart-warming. We can’t thank you enough!”
George Armour, (son 9 with JIA) told us “More than having the most special day, we felt that we were with a very special family. It’s hard to put into words how amazing the day was for me and wee George. Thank you so very much, the SNAC, Blair Drummond volunteer crew were amazing, and it was lovely to meet so many special families.”
Sophie Sneddon, (daughter 4 with JIA) messaged “I would just like to say a massive thank you to the SNAC team for such an amazing event. My daughter loved seeing that there are other children who are just the same as her. She made a lovely little friend who she can’t stop speaking about. We hope everyone enjoyed their day and you are all WARRIORS!”
SNAC Treasurer and event organiser, Kirstin Weir (JIA daughter aged 13) commented “Last year we had to cancel this event due to lack of funds. This year we were delighted to run again thanks to lottery funding. With the added introduction of art therapy from the Teapot Trust and the wonderful attention from the staff of Blair Drummond Safari Park, all attendees had a fabulous day! It is very emotional and heart warming to see families meet and share their own JIA stories and swap tips on dealing with pain and medication. On behalf of SNAC, thank-you to all the volunteers who ensured smooth running – around 30 amazing parents, siblings and even the young people with JIA! Fabulous teamwork. As we are based all over Scotland days like this allow us to come together and strengthen our team.”
