UK Cruisers Club Charity of the year 2011/12



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	UK Cruisers Registered Charity of the year As each new UKC year begins, the club chooses a registered charity as the beneficiary for its fundraising efforts throughout the year. From 1st March 2011 until 28th February 2012, The British Polio Fellowship will receive the monies generated.

	The British Polio Fellowship was founded in 1939 and was originally known as “Infantile Paralysis Association”. Since that date branches have opened throughout the United Kingdom and there are now over 80 branches and a Head Office with a current membership of several thousands. The aims of the Fellowship are: 1] To reach and offer support to all Polio affected people in the British Isles. 2] To represent the needs of people who have had or may yet have Polio. 3] To enable them to take their full part in the life of the community. Our branch manages to provide for the welfare of all Polio sufferers as well as providing transport, holidays and day trips out. We also hold monthly meetings as well as celebrating different events throughout the year. We do not receive any Government support or grants and are wholly reliant on the generosity of the general public, by way of street collections, and organisations such as yours. What is Polio? It is an infectious disease caused by one of three viruses. After initial flu like symptoms the virus can attack the spinal cord, causing muscle paralysis, which can affect any part of the body. The most serious cases are those involving the breathing muscles. The patient has to be helped to breathe artificially and even then may die. If the virus attacks the nerves supplying the arms and legs they can become weak and paralysed. Some people also have back problems and any of these symptoms can result in permanent disability. How Polio has been fought Since the early 1960s when vaccination was introduced, new cases of Polio have reduced from 6,000 in 1955 to zero in 2000. Since then there have been only occasional incidents in the UK. The World Health Organisation along with the Round Table organisation aim to eradicate polio throughout the world by vaccination and are currently doing a fantastic job. Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) Though the reduction in incidence is good news, unfortunately in recent years there has been the discovery of Post Polio Syndrome (PPS). PPS is a neurological condition which can occur in people who have had Polio. After an interval of several years of stability, people may then develop increasing weakness, stamina problems, fatigue and pain. Why we are still needed PPS is in addition to the other problems Polio sufferers have with getting older, such as arthritis and other age related conditions. Together they go towards making an individual's life extremely difficult, to cope with and manage everyday tasks, and this is why the British Polio Fellowship are there to offer them support for their needs. Tony Pepper Worcester Branch Chairman For further details, please PM Gonzo U Muppet on the UKC message board or email me direct on peppers@btinternet.com http://www.britishpolio.org.uk/ Registered charity number: 1108335


	Please click here to read about our previous years' fundraising

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