THE FUTURE of an essential group supporting dozens of people suffering from a life-changing condition has been secured following an urgent appeal from organisers to save it from closure.
The Worcestershire ME Support Group, which has been running sessions for the past 25 years throughout the county, can continue as normal after volunteers came to the rescue to help take on a number of vital roles it needs to run on a daily basis.
The support group helps raise greater public awareness of ME which is estimated to affect about 250,000 people in the UK as well as support sufferers, their carers, friends and family.
Worried bosses of the group sent out an SOS call for more volunteers to come forward and take on the crucial roles of secretary, newsletter producer and media co-ordinator to keep the service alive ahead of its annual general meeting at Malvern Cube last Friday (September 23).
The call for new volunteers was launched after the group revealed its membership was at an all-time low.
And concerned chiefs said if not enough interest was declared prior to its crunch AGM, they would begin preparations to close down for good.
But to their delight generous volunteers came on board to give the group a new lease of life.
Ian Logan, chairman of Worcestershire ME Support Group, said it was a ‘huge relief’ the group had been saved from closure.
“It’s such a relief that there’s enough interest out there to keep this service going,” he said.
“We did not want to close the support group and go through all the motions at the emergency general meeting so we are really pleased to be able to continue on as normal.
“It’s always difficult to find volunteers to take up roles but it shows how just a few people can make a huge difference.”
Also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), the condition can cause sufferers to have persistent exhaustion which can have a major effect on their mobility.
And the group are still urging more volunteers to come forward to help run monthly sessions in Bromsgrove, as well as ‘job share’ to cover for when people are away.
Mr Logan added “We would like a few more people because there can be more than one person doing each job. When one person is away, somebody else can do it.”
He also thanked the Standard for the appeal it launched at the start of September to attract more volunteers.
Anyone wishing to support the group can do so by calling Mr Logan on 01886 888419, email [email protected] or visit http://worcsmegroup.weebly.com.
