An arthritis sufferer who has devoted his life to raising money for research into the crippling disease will hand over a cheque for £60,000 to scientists at the University of Aberdeen today (Wednesday, August 25).
David Paterson has raised almost £400,000 in just 13 years, some of which has been awarded to the team at Aberdeen for research into two of the most common of the rheumatic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.
The grant will enable a team, led by Dr Michael Rogers of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, to use new state-of-the-art equipment to detect accurate amounts of protein and DNA from bone and bone cells.
Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis involve changes in the kinds of proteins that are produced in the cells present in bone. The new technology will enable the team to stay at the forefront of research into the molecular processes involved in bone and joint disease and the identification of novel drug therapies.
Mr Paterson (43), of Bedford, has suffered from arthritis since the age of 12. He underwent pioneering surgery in 1985, which gave him back his mobility after years of being crippled. Since then he has spent more than 100,000 hours collecting for the Arthritis Research Campaign outside Sainsbury’s and Homebase stores throughout the UK.
During his visit to Aberdeen, he will continue his fundraising efforts at Sainsburys in Aberdeen for three days, before going on to Homebase at Portlethen on Sunday, August 29. He will then move north to the Homebase store in Inverness, the farthest north he has collected money for charity.
PHOTOCALL: Mr Paterson will present the £60,000 to the scientists at the University on Wednesday, August 25, at 2.15pm in Lab WT15 on the 3rd floor, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Medical School, Foresterhill. Photographers and journalists are welcome to attend. There will be an opportunity to photograph/film the new equipment bought with the money.