Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week: Day 5 = fundraising

Throughout the week we’ve been showing you what we are doing to help people with rheumatoid arthritis, either by providing those with the disease and healthcare professionals with information through our publications and helpline; by giving support to people through our NRAS groups or peer to peer telephone support; or by our campaigning activities and lobbying for better access to treatment and services. We have also shown what we are doing to help raise awareness of a disease that affects an estimated 690,000 people across the UK.

Of course we cannot do any of this without raising funds, so as we draw to a close on Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week we are focusing the attention on our fundraising team. We will be celebrating the success of the last week with an NRAS Tea Party on Saturday at the Nicholsons Shopping Centre in central Maidenhead, 10.30 am until 3.00 pm, near where our offices are located. If you’re in the area then do pop in. We have also been told by many of you that you are hosting your own Tea Parties over the coming days so we hope you have a wonderful time and remember to send us your photos – [e-mail].

We would like to take the opportunity to challenge all of you to hold your own tea party and you can view our Tea Party information here: nras.org.uk/support_us/get_... It’s never too late to hold your own Tea Party, while it may be short notice to have one for the end of RA Awareness Week, tea and cake is enjoyable all year round so there’s plenty of time to get involved!

RA awareness and fundraising doesn’t just stop after this weekend however, the show must go on. So please continue to host tea parties or take part in any fundraising activities.

There are so many events that people are taking part in over the coming months over the next few months. As well as lots of running there will be cycles, swims and walks, people have been arranging music nights, quiz nights or pamper nights, we have a group climbing Kilimanjaro, another group aiming to break the world record for the longest bouncy castle bounce, if you’re a member of a golf club then you could hold a golf day, and we can arrange a skydive for you if you can get a group together. There are plenty of different activities you can take part in so find one that’s suitable for you and go for it. Get in touch with our fundraising team to find out more, or to let them know what you’re up to – [e-mail].

To celebrate our fundraising day we are running a ‘special offer’ on our places in this year’s Great North Run. Sign up today for free registration (and we have reduced the minimum sponsorship from £400 to £200). You will also receive a free running vest, an NRAS canvas bag and wrist band. We will support you right up until the day of the race when we will welcome you over the finish line. Don’t delay, sign up now! Find out how to enter here: nras.org.uk/support_us/get_...

Yesterday we were focusing our attention on our membership team and if you aren’t already a member then it is not too late to sign up for the special price of £10 per year (by direct debit). Just phone [phone].

If you are already a member then we asked to complete four simple tasks:

- Give your NRAS magazine to someone else

- Tell us your story

- Pledge to sign up your healthcare professional as a member

- Nominate your Healthcare Champion

We also published an infographic showing what the symptoms of RA are: nras.org.uk/includes/docume...

Don’t forget to share it and spread the word about RA.