This Rare Disease Day, we’re looking at five British celebrities championing some lesser-known causes.
The 29th of February is Rare Disease Day, working towards equity in social opportunity, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease.
To get behind the movement, we’re looking at five British celebrities who are using their status to champion rare diseases.
If you’re looking for a celebrity to support your cause, we can help. Our Wealth Intelligence Database contains information about over 270,000 high-net-worth and well-connected individuals based in the UK and is updated daily.
Jenny Agutter OBE – Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Star of The Railway Children and Call the Midwife, Jenny Agutter is a British actress using her status for good. She supports several charities, including the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the only UK-wide charity uniting people to stop cystic fibrosis. Agutter has a personal connection to the cause as her niece and great-nephew live with the condition.
A 2014 episode of Call the Midwife focused on cystic fibrosis on Agutter’s suggestion.
George Rainsford – The Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA)
Another Call the Midwife star raising awareness for rare diseases, George Rainsford has been a patron of the Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA) since 2021.
When Rainsford’s character on Casualty was diagnosed with Huntington’s, he worked closely with the HDA to fact-check the storyline. Through the charity, he met people living with the disease and their families. Inspired by the stories they shared, he took on an ultra-marathon to fundraise for the HDA and became a patron on its 50th anniversary.
Coleen Rooney – Jeans for Genes
British television star, author and wife of footballer Wayne Rooney, Rooney is a patron of the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and an ambassador for Jeans for Genes.
Rooney has worked with the annual fundraiser Jeans for Genes for 15 years, which raises awareness of the daily challenges faced by those living with a genetic condition. Her younger sister Rosie had Retts syndrome and passed away from the disease when she was just 14.
Alex Dowsett – Little bleeders
Former British professional road racing cyclist Alex Dowsett is raising awareness for haemophilia. He was diagnosed with the condition at just 18 months old and is the only elite cyclist with the condition.
He set up the charity Little Bleeders to empower young haemophiliacs through sport and movement.
Fay Ripley – Matthew’s Friends
Fay Ripley is a British actress, television presenter, and recipe author. She rose to fame in the 90s when she was nominated for a BAFTA for her role in Cold Feet. Ripley published her first cookbook in 2009 to help people prepare good food for their children.
Ripley is a Patron of the charity Matthew’s Friends, whose mission is to publicise Ketogenic Dietary Therapies and make them more available to all those who should need them.
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