Challenging times!!

[Lorraine_NRAS]

Hi everyone

Hello from the helpline team, although I am considering joining my fundraising colleagues as they seem to get all the exciting jobs! I refer of course to all the fantastic events and challenges that our Members and Supporters are involved in and in particular the incredible efforts of Martin Lee which Ruth described in our last NRAS blog. For those of you who have not read about this before, Martin, a UK rheumatologist, is kayaking ‘Round the Isles for Rheumatoid’ . This involves a 2,600 mile clockwise solo circumnavigation of the UK mainland and is equivalent to 100 marathons in 100 days – I am exhausted even thinking about it and completely in awe of what he is doing, particularly when you look at the map and realise just how far it is. Martin has undertaken this challenge as his aunt has lived with RA for many years and is someone who inspired him to start studying medicine. If you would like to find out more about Martin and perhaps donate towards his fundraising target of £100,000 then please click on this link:-

nras.org.uk/kayak4RA

I am equally in awe when I hear or read about the army of supporters who are doing wonderful things to help support NRAS and its work and certainly without their efforts we would not be able to help the 1000’s of people who ask for our help every year or who request our information.

You will probably have seen all the coverage on the news about changes that were proposed in the budget in regard to making charitable donations and the potential effect that this will have on charities especially at a time when, due to the economic climate, funding is already a major issue. We are therefore more reliant and hugely grateful to everyone who supports us and why I would urge you to get involved with us in whatever way you can! As for myself, I am currently looking for my own challenge and think it may be a sponsored slim as my son is getting married in September so watch this space!

If you have a question or just want to talk through things then why don’t you give the helpline a call? The helpline can also provide you with a wide range of information and publications and make suggestions as to other good sources of help. The helpline is open from 9.30 to 4.30 Monday to Friday or email us on [e-mail] .

We are pleased to be able to tell you that in early May we are launching a new area on the website which looks at feet, an area of the body that, I know, causes many of you with RA many problems and a topic on which we felt we needed much more detailed information. We’d love to hear your comments or receive your suggestions about this new addition to our information resources.

Best wishes

Lorraine