Charity's Easter Eggs Seized!!

Well, the golden chocolate bunnies have been hopping off the shelves for what seems like months now. Here at NRAS we have been very restrained in the lead up to Easter for there’s still not a single egg in sight. It’s strange isn’t it how tradition seems to dictate that you need to practise eating as much chocolate as possible prior to the coming of the Easter Bunny. Perhaps it’s like the training you undertake before a long race!

On the Helpline we have sampled our first Hot Cross Bun of the season courtesy of Fundraising. It was well received as our little grey cells were turning cartwheels looking at the shape of the database to come. As with all new systems it’s undergoing the inevitable tweaks and then further tweaks to get it where we want it. I think maybe ‘tweaking’ might become the next World Wide Web phenomenon.

Working on the Helpline you speak with people who are coming to terms with a new diagnosis or continuing to deal with how RA affects and impinges on their lives. There are many approaches but courage, determination and humour are always evident in the calls. Just recently information was sent to a new caller. She came back a few days later, shocked but so glad to have phoned NRAS. Her GP had not thought of RA as a possibility but on showing him our literature he made sure she was given a priority appointment with a Rheumatologist.

Next day I scamper round to Volunteer Network where I bump into Clare who is the one most likely to be donning bunny ears, tail and even fishnet tights to bring in some funds for NRAS. Her most recent idea found her dressed in a lime green wig and shamrock shaped specs. We all had to swell NRAS funds for the chance to wear green on St Patricks Day. If we didn’t we were fined. We shall be doing the same with red and blue – no prizes for guessing when those days will be.

  

Wouldn’t you know it - that’s where all the eggs went! The Clare look-alike leprachaun will no doubt be selling them to us to swell NRAS funds!

At the moment when Clare is not dressed as a ghoul or a gaiety girl she is the one bounding about all over the country helping with the NRAS Workwise Workshops or attending some of the NRAS Group Meetings. Paul (not often to be found in a bunny outfit) is working hard on the organisation of the RA Self Management course at the moment. We have just started the second set of pilots.

After donning my rubber gloves I begin some work on cleansing the database for its migration to the next version. I looked up ‘migration’ and now have alarming visions of the data spreading wings and taking flight, only touching down at the next base. Better be careful not to clap suddenly or goodness knows where it might end up! I wonder if it’s a flock or a clutch of data? I’ll ask Peter, our resident expert on such things.

I get back to sending out some flyers for a new Group meeting and then I come to the best bit: speaking with some of you who have agreed to make volunteer calls. It’s great to catch up with you and to see how again and again you re-jig your diaries in order to fit in with a request. You remember how it was for you when you were first diagnosed or had a joint replaced or approached a difficult issue and you offer empathy and encouragement. Feedback from these calls shows how very much you are appreciated so many, many thanks for helping me so willingly with my job.

Well I’ve scampered and gobbled or nibbled quite enough for now so am ready to enjoy the real thing. From Helpline and Volunteer Network may I wish you a Very Happy Easter. Perhaps all your eggs will not be chocolate – enjoy them whatever shape they come in.

Joan
Helpline & Volunteer Network Administrator