Fungal Infection Trust Great Big Spore Balloon Race

Submitted by GAtherton on 3 November 2016

The Fungal Infection Trust have hosted a day of public engagement at the Manchester Museum as part of the University of Manchester Science Spectacular to celebrate their 25th anniversary of operations.

FIT (formerly the Fungal Research Trust) first registered as a charity in 1991 and has since invested nearly £4 million into research and education of fungal diseases throughout the world, patients, laypeople and professionals. Solely funded by private donations it lists amongst its many achievements as follows

It supports The Aspergillus Website, the world’s most dynamic, encyclopedic and interactive portal for all aspects of the organism and diseases it produces.
Its focus on building one centre of excellence in fungal disease was recognised in 2009 by creation of the NHS National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester.
It has supported the training of over 25 researchers and practitioners and the publication of over 200 research reports on fungi and disease.
It has supported LIFE (Leading International Fungal Education) which provides a global accessible resource for health professionals on all fungi, and the UK’s first student art competition focused on fungi and fungal disease.
Over recent years there has been an increasing focus on supporting patients and carers with fungal infection, partly through the Patients Website, its associated online community and partly through the National Aspergillosis Centre patient meetings.

The Great Fungal Spore Balloon Race is technically still running after the balloon release 5 days ago but at the moment there is a clear leader with a balloon picked up close to the M18 and the village of Fishlake, Doncaster, a journey of over 50 miles!