Released on: September 12, 2008, 2:31 am

Press Release Author: BeyondPR

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: John Blake has been appointed the new Head of Individual
Giving of medical research charity Deafness Research UK

Press Release Body: John Blake has been appointed the new Head of Individual Giving
of medical research charity Deafness Research UK, the country’s leading charity in
the field of hearing research and the only national charity dedicated to finding
cures for deafness, tinnitus and other hearing problems.

The post has been created to maximise Deafness Research UK’s future revenues from
individual donations and legacies.

John was previously with the Motor Neurone Disease Association where he was the Head
of Supporter Development overseeing direct marketing, legacies, tribute funds and
membership. Prior to that, he worked at the Parkinsons’s Disease Society, the
Notting Hill Housing Trust, and Sense.

This latest senior appointment at Deafness Research UK comes shortly after the
appointment of Ruwan Perera to the new position of Director of Development. John
Blake will work closely with Ruwan and the charity’s CEO, Vivienne Michael, forming
the new senior management team who will collectively map out the strategic direction
of the charity for the coming months and years.

Deafness Research UK’s CEO, Vivienne Michael, said, “We are embarking on a major
change management programme within the charity, to which both John and Ruwan will
contribute significantly. John has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the
sector and a great track record of achievement. We are confident he will help the
charity develop to the next level and generate the funds we need for vital
additional research programmes.

“Our Head of Individual Giving will play a major role in attracting further funds
from individual donors, expanding our community fundraising activities as well as
securing increased legacy income for the charity which we will use to fund future
research programmes into deafness, tinnitus, and other deafness-related conditions.

“There are nine million people in the UK who are deaf or hard of hearing. They range
from babies who are born with no hearing at all to over six million people over the
age of sixty who are gradually losing their hearing as they age. Millions more have
hearing problems such as tinnitus and complex conditions such as deaf-blindness.

“As the only national charity dedicated to research in this field, Deafness Research
UK has a key role to play and our track record of identifying and backing the best,
high impact research is impressive. We have played an important part in some of the
most significant advances of recent years from new screening tests to identify deaf
babies at birth to improving implants that restore sound to totally deaf people.
With research entering a new and exciting phase in which medical cures are becoming
a real possibility, we must expand our grant-making significantly to meet the need
for new people and programmes in UK hearing research.”
ENDS

Notes to editors
About Deafness Research UK
• Deafness Research UK is the country’s only charity dedicated to finding new cures,
treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired
people.
• The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis
and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus.
• The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice
based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The
Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222
• For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing
conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can
access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can e-mail Deafness Research
UK at info@deafnessresearch.org.uk
• One in seven people in the UK – almost nine million people - suffer hearing loss.
• Deafness Research UK was founded in 1985 by Lord (Jack) and Lady Ashley of Stoke.
• In January 2008, Action for Tinnitus Research (ATR) was linked with Deafness
Research UK under a uniting direction order under Section 96 (6) of the Charities
Act 1993.




Web Site: http://www.beyondpr.co.uk

Contact Details: Press enquiries
Jon Gardner, BeyondPR. Mobile 07930 697773. Direct line 0114 275 6996. e-mail:
jon.gardner@beyondpr.co.uk