From August 15-17, Caring Matters Now hosted its annual Big Weekend in Birmingham, bringing together 118 attendees-including three new families and one who traveled all the way from Germany! This year, we tried something new by basing ourselves at a hotel near the NEC, giving families access to great facilities and nearby attractions.
Friday evening kicked off with warm welcomes in the hotel lounge, where CMN t-shirts helped spark introductions. Our volunteer team-made up mostly of families directly impacted by CMN-joined the festivities alongside charity staff, Trustees, and Key Volunteers.
Saturday was packed with fun:
- Baby & Toddler Party: Hosted by Jackie and Martin, this funfair-themed session featured storytelling, crafts, and a petting zoo with rabbits, snakes, and more!
- Bowling & Escape Rooms: Adults bonded over bowling while teens tackled escape rooms with the CMN team.
- Lakeside Picnic & Indoor Funfair: Families enjoyed lunch by the NEC beach and shared laughs on the rides.
- Pool Time: Back at the hotel, some relaxed in the swimming pool and hot tub.
Saturday night’s Children’s Disco was a highlight! A local entertainer got everyone dancing, with a conga line and even a dad dance-off. Two children performed a song they wrote about the weekend, proudly wearing their CMN t-shirts and singing, “CMN is the best condition!”
Sunday wrapped up with a cinema trip for the kids and a Research Presentation for adults, led by Professor Kinsler’s team. Topics included siRNA therapy development, the role of the CMN Clinic’s Research Assistant, and the psychological impact of living with CMN.
Thank you to everyone who made this weekend unforgettable. We can’t wait to do it all again!
