Race Archive

The Parents and carers of babies, children and adults with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and associated conditions hold a vital role in the lives of our members. They are often responsible for coordinating support from agencies including social care, the GP, and other care workers and professionals. 

Shine’s specialist health advisors provide emotional support to parents-to-be following a diagnosis of anencephaly

Shine’s aim is to engage, empower and enable all our members to have better lives by helping them to share with others their personal experiences of life with spina bifida.

Shine provides specialist advice and information to professionals working in healthcare and education. We aim to deepen understanding of spina bifida and hydrocephalus to provide the best possible outcome for our members.

Shine’s Health Development Team are vital to our approach in supporting all of our members.

Shine is almost entirely funded by the generosity of the general public. Our balloon races make a significant contribution to our funds every year.

Shine supports thousands of adults living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are conditions which arise early in a baby’s development in the womb. NTDs affect 1 in 775 pregnancies in the UK. One type of NTD, spina bifida (literally, ‘split spine’) can cause multiple health complications and bring lifelong challenges. Anencephaly is an NTD which causes an unborn baby’s brain and skull to under-develop in the womb. It is always fatal.

Hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid on the brain, can develop at any time in anyone’s lifeIt can have a range of physical and cognitive effects, including issues with reasoning, short-term memory, language, visual problems and early puberty in children. 

The teenage years are vitally important for those with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.