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#BristolCharityAdvent day 7: FND Friends
FND Friends offers support for people with Functional Neurological Disorder and seeks to banish the isolation and depression it can lead to.
The charity was set up 18 months ago by five members who met in hospital and works by reaching out to sufferers, working to help them regain their confidence and dignity, while also raising awareness of the condition.
“We are all aware of the problems having FND gave us as individuals, as well as the total lack of support for sufferers, their families and their carers,” explains chairman of FND Friends Kevin Clark.
The charity recently ran a Christmas stall to raise money and awareness of the cause
“We work in various ways to achieve our goals, and to banish the isolation and depression that comes with this disorder.
“A lot of our clients are house bound and don’t have the confidence to go out; we give them their dignity and confidence back. We can’t cure people, but we certainly can make them feel better about themselves.”
The charity reaches across the South West, visiting people at home, encouraging them to go out, organises regular social gatherings. One member also meets with trainee doctors and nurses to educate them on FND and how it affects sufferers and their families.
Kevin Clark, Emma Clark and Lucy Skinner of FND Friends
The target for 2018 is to get speakers in from different organisations, such the Carers Trust and Citizen’s Advice Bureau to talk about PIP (personal independence payments) and any other help available.
Key ways in which you can help support FND Friends:
– Donations and sponsorship.
– Volunteers to help run the group and also to become trustees. Computer, organisational and fund raising skills are all desirable, charity law experience would be a bonus and own transport is essential.
– Equipment such as computers and printers.
– Donations of gifts, such as homemade crafts, jewellery, pottery, to sell at fetes.
To find out more, visit www.bristolfnd.org.
Read more: #BristolCharityAdvent Day 6: Radio Lollipop
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