DEBRA publishes 2025 Annual Report and ESG Report highlighting major progress for the EB community
DEBRA UK has published its 2025 Annual Report and 2025 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report, offering a comprehensive look back at a year of significant progress in support, research, sustainability, and organisational development as the charity continues its mission to stop the pain of epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
Together, these reports provide a detailed and transparent account of DEBRA’s impact, the challenges faced by the EB community, and the strategic steps being taken to drive meaningful change for the future.
Transformational progress in research and member support
In 2025, DEBRA made landmark strides in EB research, including securing co‑funding for ART‑EB, the largest EB drug‑repurposing clinical initiative ever undertaken. The project will test whether treatments already used for inflammatory skin conditions could be repurposed to improve wound healing, reduce pain, and slow EB progression.
The charity also delivered substantial growth in support services, including:
- Over 700 individual members supported by the EB Community Support Team
- Expanded holiday home availability, including new locations in Devon Cliffs and Windermere
- A surge in member engagement, with 447 people connecting through events, support groups, and webinars
- New specialist resources, including the launch of The Complete Guide to DEBRA Membership
These achievements reflect DEBRA’s commitment to addressing both immediate needs and long‑term solutions for people living with EB.
Environmental, Social & Governance progress
The newly published ESG Report outlines DEBRA’s continued efforts to operate more sustainably and ethically while strengthening its culture and governance structures. Highlights include:
Environmental initiatives
- Continued rollout of LED lighting, with upgrades now completed in 41 stores
- Introduction of eco‑friendly cleaning products across the estate
- An innovative programme to shred unsellable books into compostable packaging for online orders
- A projected 90,457 kWh reduction in energy usage through the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) by 2027
Social commitments
- Over 150 colleagues trained through the DEBRA Academy
- Expansion of wellbeing support, including mental health first aiders and menopause awareness initiatives
- Ongoing investment in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, including January’s flagship J‑EDI month
Governance improvements
- Strengthened board oversight, including updated governance manuals and trustee development
- Comprehensive policy reviews and internal audits
- Alignment with the Charity Governance Code and enhanced organisational transparency
Retail, fundraising, and community impact
DEBRA’s retail performance strengthened in 2025 thanks to strategic restructuring, AI‑enabled efficiencies, and community engagement. Bought‑in-goods and online sales continued to grow, while the introduction of new dashboards improved decision‑making and operational consistency.
In fundraising, supporters delivered extraordinary results:
- £1.014 million raised through Graeme Souness and Team DEBRA’s English Channel swim challenge
- £250,000 raised at the 10th annual Great Chefs Dinner
- Over £200,000 raised during An Evening with Sir Alex Ferguson
- A £100,000+ contribution from the Kilimanjaro challenge group
These events not only generated vital funds but also brought much‑needed visibility to EB nationwide.
Looking ahead to 2026
Both reports highlight ambitious plans for the year ahead, including:
- Expanding clinical research and preparing for further drug repurposing trials
- Growing member recruitment and engagement
- Rolling out new “sustainability corners” in retail stores
- Strengthening wellbeing, culture, and leadership development
- Increasing recycling rates to 50% of all waste
- Transitioning stores to green energy from October 2026
- Enhancing partnerships with healthcare professionals to accelerate diagnosis and support
Download the reports
Both the 2025 Annual Report and 2025 ESG Report are available to read or download now: