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Also click the 'NEWS' button; then click the Link, to see more about the Launch of the Advocacy Project
BIG LOTTERY FUND AWARDS SIGNIFICANT GRANT TO THE 25% ME GROUP.
NEWS RELEASE 10th December 2004
25% Group Contacts: Simon Lawrence or Linda Conner
AYRSHIRE BASED ME SUPPORT GROUP WINS SUBSTANTIAL “BIG LOTTERY FUND” AWARD FOR THE 25% ME GROUP –SEVERELY AFFECTED ADVOCACY SERVICE COMMENCING 7TH MARCH 2005
Hundreds of sufferers of severe ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) will benefit throughout Scotland from a major Big Lottery Fund (£143,978.00) windfall to provide a new advocacy service dedicated to helping those suffering from this dreadful condition.
With the recent award that the nationwide support group the “25% ME Group” won from the (National Lottery Charities Board) they will be able to employ two staff for the new service. Although the group is based in Ayrshire the award is to benefit all severe M.E. sufferers in Scotland.
The Group plans to set up a dedicated advocacy service providing advice and support throughout Scotland covering a variety of areas, including Benefits advice and form-filling service, telephone support and face-to-face representation when required. The service will also provide practical advice on many issues relating to Community Care, accessing appropriate health and social services and the benefits system.
Many people with severe ME are housebound, wheelchair and bed-bound. From a recent survey conducted by the Group, it was found that 61% of the Group’s members had reported receiving a grossly inadequate care package to support them in their homes and with their disability needs. Simon Lawrence, Group Co-ordinator and long-term sufferer stated, “M.E. sufferers need a simple procedure and assistance in obtaining suitable care for their long-term disabling illness. I believe the provision of this new service will greatly alleviate some of the problems that sufferers face on a daily basis, thanks to the Big Lottery Fund.”
There are approximately 15,000 children and adults in Scotland (of which 25% are severely affected). This illness, in its most severe form, can leave the sufferer in constant pain, unable to walk, wash, speak, listen to music, unable to feed themselves, or even tolerate sunlight. This is the terrible reality faced by many severely affected ME sufferers, a disease which has proved to be one of the least understood neurological illnesses of the last few decades.
Simon Lawrence added, “We hope to provide real, practical support for people with this condition. We might not be able to offer a cure, but we certainly plan to alleviate some of the everyday problems experienced by sufferers with the introduction of this type of specialised advocacy service.”
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