1-31 July: Sickle Cell Awareness Month

It's estimated that 12,500 people in England currently suffer from sickle cell disorders, genetic disorders that affect the body's red blood cells, and there are an estimated 240,000 carriers of the defective gene. The Sickle Cell Society, with help from the NHS, will be carrying out screening and education programmes around the UK.

14-20 July: Gut Week

This year heralds the 10th anniversary of Gut Week, that one week of the year when we're encouraged to give our digestive systems a bit of much-needed TLC.

24 July: Samaritans Awareness Day

Just 17,000 Samaritans volunteers working around the clock received more than five million phone calls and emails last year; to promote that fact the charity will be launching countless money-raising quiz nights, sponsored walks and fashion shows across the country as part of its 24:7 campaign.

1-7 August: World Breastfeeding Week

Tying in nicely with the Beijing Olympics, this week will see children's charities across the world joining together to promote the restoration of an international breastfeeding culture.

4-10 August: Sexual Health Week

This year, the Family Planning Agency will spend this week supporting the sexual health needs of the 1.5 million people in the UK with learning disabilities.

12 August: International Youth Day

Designed to empower the world's youth and encourage them to debate today's key issues, this year's International Youth Day is subtitled 'Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action'.