Carol's daughter developed Alopecia Areata when she was eight years old. Carol set about raising funds to help towards researching the condition and donated these to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh's dermatology department. Doctor Aldridge, the consultant who was treating her daughter, suggested that she use some of the funds to set up a support group for people with the condition. He put her in touch with Rosemary. Rosemary's daughter had been attending Dr Aldridge's clinic since she was four years old. Rosemary had tried to find out more about Alopecia Areata and felt frustrated by the lack of information or advice available. She and Carol met and agreed to set up the charity because they had felt so helpless when their daughters had been diagnosed and didn't want other people to be in this position. On the advice of a lawyer, they set up the company and registered it as a charity. Isobel is the third Director of the charity. She got involved when she helped to set up the Glasgow meetings of Alopecia sufferers.   Olivia is a consultant dermatologist based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. She was keen to help set up a support network for the many people she sees with the condition. She acts as medical advisor to our board and has provided us with invaluable guidance and assistance.