Philanthropist hands health charity record £1m donation

The Royal Osteoporosis Society has been handed £1m from Dale W Wood, the founder and chairman of Dale Ventures investment firm.

The donation by the city investor and philanthropist is the largest the charity has received.

The money will be used by the charity to “launch new initiatives to improve early diagnosis, prevention and widen access to high-quality treatment and care”.

This will include using artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to make support for those with the bone condition easier to access.

It will also be used to help warn people who are at greater risk of bone fractures, long hospital stays and premature death, including those from deprived areas.

“Osteoporosis is common, treatable, and often preventable, but only if people know their risk,” said the charity.

It added that Wood’s “extraordinary support represents one of the most meaningful private investments in UK bone health”.

“We are incredibly grateful to Dale for recognising the scale of the opportunity to transform bone health in the UK,” said the charity’s chief executive Craig Jones.

“Dale’s gift will be a powerful catalyst in accelerating and expanding our work nationwide.

“Today, two-thirds of people with osteoporosis are missing out on safe, effective medication, leaving them vulnerable to fractures which can steal their independence and threaten their lives. With Dale’s help, we’ll give tens of thousands of people back their lives and their futures”

A spokesperson for Dale Ventures added: “It is a huge honour for Dale to support the ROS this year. Dale’s ambition is that, by working together, we can enable new developments and innovations that strengthen the support and care available to people affected by osteoporosis and raise awareness of this ‘silent’ condition across the nation.

“We know that his gift will support the delivery of much needed help, guidance and reassurance for those living with osteoporosis and thoroughly deserving of the best treatment and care possible.”

This is the second major donation made by Wood this year to a UK good cause, after he donated £7.5m to mental health charity Mind in February. This was Mind's largest ever donation received.