Who stole the summer?
When I first joined NRAS, 5 years ago now, we used to experience a little lull over the summer holiday period which gave us all the opportunity to step back, take a breath and regroup. I so looked forward to that quiet few weeks during August but what happened to our respite this year? The lull never happened? The onslaught of emails and calls just didn’t let up! The office was as busy as always. There are so many organisations wishing to work with us on exciting and interesting projects that will all bear fruit in the long run for improving the lives of those living with RA but oh to have more hours in a day would be nice!
And what an autumn we have lined up already.
I will be representing NRAS at the IMID Summit in London next week. This is a gathering of 119 delegates representing patient groups from 22 countries from as far flung places as New Zealand, Brazil, Russia, Romania, Turkey etc. IMID stands for Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases so includes Psoriasis , Psoriatic Arthritis, Crohn’s & Colitis, Ankylosing spondylitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis – all diseases triggered by the immune system behaving badly! The two day summit will be an opportunity for all patient organisations to share common successes and issues, learn from each other as well as join forces where appropriate. I am very much looking forward to doing my Seb Co impersonation when I welcome all the delegates to London on behalf of the steering committee.
Next we have an information event in Dorchester on 3rd October, all from the area are very welcome. To find out more email volunteers@nras.org.uk.
We are all looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the NRAS Members’ day on Thursday October 11th in Taplow. Then I’m off to North Wales to a World Arthritis Day 12th October in Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre followed the next day with an event in the lovely city of York.
In addition we have lots of work going on to develop new sections on the website as well as new publications coming out next year.
Then before we know where we’re at it will be Christmas! Yes I said the “c” word! Have you order your NRAS Christmas cards yet? It’s never too early to start writing to those long lost aunties and wayward cousins so get your orders in now.
By the time I write again I will have directed an NRAS Potty Panto as part of a local charity fundraising event so watch out on YouTube in November for the video evidence that while we work hard on your behalf here in Maidenhead we also play hard too, all in the name of a good cause.