We want to say a heartfelt thank you to Dave Smith for all of his support for Niemann-Pick UK, enjoy your well-deserved retirement.
The entire Staff and Board of Niemann-Pick UK (NPUK) want to express our sincere gratitude to the wonderful Dave Smith, former Research Assistant at the Department of Pharmacology (University of Oxford), for his unwavering support throughout his career.
Dave dedicated his career to advancing research on Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC), working closely alongside Professor Fran Platt in the Oxford Platt Lab and collaborating with the UCL Rahim Lab. His efforts in the lab were vital contributions towards NPUK’s mission of finding treatments and improving the lives of patients and their families affected by this rare neurodegenerative disease.
Dave is also a well-known and cherished figure at our NPUK Family Conference & Interactive Workshop for two reasons, firstly for his reliable attendance where he took time to meet patients and families, sharing how his research directly supports our community – thus bridging the gap between the lab and those affected, offering hope and connection. But secondly with his commitment to fundraising with the “Super Scientists” before so many of our Conferences.
Just a few examples include an event in 2020, where Dave and Team cycled 60 miles through 20 Oxfordshire villages for the “NPC 20 in 2020 Challenge.” In 2022, he helped raise £2,703.75 in the Cycle-Walk-Paddle Challenge, covering 70 miles by bike, foot, canoe, and paddleboard, and in 2023, Dave joined (by bike) the 60-mile Thames Path walk to the source of the Thames…each time just seemed to get bigger and better, and it was Dave who was the driving force in thinking up these ever-more-imaginative fundraisers!
Check out the photos from these incredible challenges over the years to see Dave and the Super Scientists in action!
You can get inspired by the team’s latest fundraiser at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/david-smith-1717083049246
Thank you, Dave, for your career-long dedication, your meaningful engagement with our community at the NPUK Family Conference, and your tireless fundraising. Your work makes a real difference, and we truly appreciate all you have done for us…again we wish you the best in your retirement, we won’t forget you!
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