Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page AND A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS PROJECT, whether that was with time or money. Please read on for details and updates. 

Does chronic pain affect you, a family member or a friend?  If it does I can very much sympathise with you because I have lived with chronic pain & muscle spasm since contracting pollio at 13 months.  For me it meant that I wasn't able to take part in dance or most sports throughout my life.  When I discovered hydrotherapy I realised immediately the difference it made.  But there isn't a pool in my area that I can use, nor can other people with the same problems as me.  That's why I'm raising money for Bay Aquatic Therapy (BAT).  BAT is a Charity Fund managed by Morecambe Bay Hospitals Charity (MBHC) and was started by Zoe Hamilton, Physiotherapist.  Zoe is dedicated to promoting much needed hydrotherapy treatment for adults living with chronic pain in the Morecambe Bay region.  At the time of setting up this fundraiser, (July 2011) there was no permanent accessible facility for BAT to continue to provide sessions.  While I have been raising money, Zoe has been having very fruitful discussions behind the scenes with key staff of the new hydrotherapy facility at the Loyne Special School.  As a result, she now has a weekly two-hour clinic for delivering much-needed hydrotherapy sessions to adults.

What I Did: My original aim was to ride pillion on a Honda Goldwings 1800 Trike, doing a 70 miles round trip.  A change of circumstances meant that theTrike became unavailabe but an enthusiastic group of bikers went ahead with a ride on Sept 4th, while I collected small change from shoppers outside the supermarket!  Photos taken show our group before the riders took off.  They took in Devil's Bridge, Kirkby Stephen, Kaber, Tan Hill & Ribbleshead, finishing up at the Punch Bowl at Low Bentham, N. Yorks. Conditions were dry & sunny as I waved them all off (and bikers along the route donated generously).  Thank you very much to Pam, Phil, Chaz, Gary, Ken, Yvonne, Frank & others who took part.  Then Kevin Hyde from the Morecambe & District Motorcycle Club (MAD MCC) helped me to complete my ambition to ride pillion - on his 1600 VW Trike, on another sunny morning - Thursday September 15th.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself although I think I used some muscles that I didn't know I had!  We presented a cheque for £800 to Zoe outside the Physiotherapy Clinic at Morecambe and hope to see a photo in the newspapers soon. Details of how to continue to support Bay Aquatic Therapy can be found below.  At the time of updating my story here (Sept 15th)- I have raised over £800 and am still counting.

I know how good it feels to get into a pool heated to 32 C - that's the min. temp. needed to reduce muscle spasm and promote well-being.  Having access to this therapy not only helps patients to manage pain, it can reduce their dependence on painkillers and help maintain well-being.  Many people in the Morecambe Bay area can't use ordinary pool or gym facilities, so I'm hoping that promoting this Fund will also raise awareness of the issues faced by other people with long-term conditions. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Please dig deep and donate what you can - many thanks, Mary

July was Polio Awareness Month in the U.K. - for recent publicity & information about LEP (Late Effects of Polio) or PPS (Post Polio Syndrome) click below: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/259335

...and: http://www.poliosurvivorsnetwork.org.uk/

Morecambe & District Motorcycle Club: http://madmcc.co.uk/