about

ABOUT US

WHO ARE MAARA?

MAARA, or the Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association as we are also known, is a registered charity based in the East Midlands. We were founded in 1968 by Dr Harry Morrow Brown to undertake and fund research into the causes of asthma and allergy. During our history we have been involved with some well-known treatments which are still widely-used today, for example we undertook the clinical trials for Beconase and Flixonase the hayfever treatment sprays and Dr Morrow Brown developed the first “standardised prick needle” which continues to be used for skin prick testing of allergies. MAARA works with hospitals, clinics and patients with medical researchers and asthma and allergy specialists to provide much needed medical equipment, funding of projects to identify the causes and help to develop new effective treatments.

Our work now is as important as it has ever been. In addition to funding research, we are committed to raising the profile of asthma and allergy conditions, which have seen a significant increase in recent years, as we are aware that the field of allergy receives neither the level of importance nor recognition it so richly deserves. We are also only too aware that many, including health professionals, have a limited knowledge of this branch of medicine.

Asthma and allergy affects the lives of so many people of all ages – in fact it is estimated that a third of the UK population, some 18 million people, will develop an allergy at some point in their lives; yet there are only 6 NHS Allergy Centres in the UK to treat these conditions.

It is our aim to make both a positive and a practical difference by taking action, to ensure that all of those who need it have access to and proper diagnosis and treatment of their particular condition, to implement schemes that educate and to provide practical help and support for anyone who may ask for it.

We are not funded by Government or the NHS and therefore rely solely on the generosity of our members, supporters and the general public for our funds and their subscriptions, donations and legacies are vital to ensure the continuance of our valuable work.

MAARA's Work in Asthma and Allergy

MAARA in Derby

  • MAARA was founded in Derby over 40 years ago by Dr Harry Morrow Brown to fund and develop research into asthma and allergy
  • Dr Morrow Brown pioneered the first modern treatments for asthma using inhaled steroids
  • As a result of research and clinical trials at MAARA headed by Dr Morrow Brown, Becotide was first successfully marketed in 1972 and has since revolutionised the treatment of asthma
  • MAARA developed the first standardised prick test needle which is now marketed as the Allersharp needle
  • On 16 July 1981 MAARA sponsored the first comprehensive allergy clinic of its kind in the UK
  • Since 1970 MAARA has supported and funded the collection, counting and reporting of pollen and fungal spores under the auspices its Aerobiology department. This makes MAARA the only centre in the UK and one of the very few in the world with a long-term pollen and spore databank. It has the world’s longest running continuous records for pollen and fungal spores
  • Data collected by the Aerobiology department has been used to forecast pollen levels for hayfever sufferers and has been used by the media and press. The MAARA data has also been used in collaborations with research institutions on an international scale
  • In 1984 a major discovery was made by Dr Morrow Brown regarding the presence of airborne crystals of calcium sulphate in relation to the prevalence of allergic conditions. He identified the likelihood of a link between these particles and power stations. External research since this discovery has proved this link to be true and desulphurisation units have been added to several power stations nationwide

MAARA in Leicester

  • Dr Martin Stern, consultant asthma and allergy specialist at the University Hospitals of Leicester led many MAARA trials into new treatments for hayfever and asthma during the 1980s and 90s.
  • During a Leicester-based hayfever trial in 1989 MAARA tested a spray for the nose which proved to be extremely effective in the treatment of a runny nose, a blocked nose, nasal itching and sneezing.  The success of this spray is now well proven and GPs continue to prescribe it to this day
  • In 1995, with the aid of a grant from three pharmaceutical companies MAARA employed an asthma nurse to visit GPs and help with the care of asthma patients
  • As people spend more time indoors and because indoor air can be very different to that of the outdoors, in 1996 a portable 24-hour indoor air sampler, small and light enough to be taken to patient’s homes was developed by Dr Stern with Burkard Manufacturing Co Ltd, specifically to investigate indoor allergies. Initial research was published Stern M.A., Allitt U., Corden J., Millington W. (1999) The Investigation of Fungal Spores in Intramural Air Using a Burkard Continuous Recording Air Sampler. Indoor Built Environment. 8: 40-48.

MAARA - Other Support Activities:

  • MAARA regularly sponsors medics and health professionals on courses, conferences and with travel expenses
  • Over the years MAARA has also funded equipment for hospitals and research. Examples of these are:
  • A donation of £3000 in 1996 to the Department of Child Health to enable Leicester to purchase a £6000 Quinton Exercise treadmill to investigate the relation between exercise-induced asthma and other symptoms in asthmatic school children
  • The Jacob Fleming Appeal raised funds to enable Leicester Glenfield Hospital to purchase a much needed Bronchoscope- a special type of camera that allows doctors to look deep into the lungs of patients with asthma
  • The family and friends of Jacob – who died age 9yrs in May 2004 of a severe asthma attack – raised money which was used to purchase 3 indoor air samplers which will collect particles to find out what airborne particles including pollen and fungal spores are in patients homes

 

  • In 2001, MAARA agreed a 3-year funding programme to establish a new post in the Department of Toxicology at Leicester University. Dr Colin Hewitt was appointed to the post which was made permanent at the end of the funding agreement. The post has greatly added to the reputation and strength of allergy services in Leicester
  • MAARA also provides funds to support self-help groups for people with asthma and allergy. One such group is the Food & Nut Allergy group.
  • In 2005, MAARA provided a start-up grant for a new Aerobiology Unit and associated research funding at the University of Leicester, responsible for collecting, counting and recording spore and pollen data from both Leicester and Derby trap sites. This data is being used in a number of Research Projects