May the fourth be with you!

Hello from the newest member of the NRAS team! I joined 7 weeks ago as the new Membership Supervisor and have received such a warm welcome from everyone at NRAS.

I had known of NRAS for a few years before I joined, mainly through a few of my family & friends who suffer with RA, and feel incredible privileged to be working for such an amazing charity.

Our members are incredibly important and we are ever closer to reaching 4,000 members! The more members we have, the bigger impact we can have in raising awareness about RA, enabling us to carry out the essential services we provide. If you are not already a member and you are interested in joining, please call either myself or Gail in the membership department on 0845 458 3969 or email membership@nras.org.uk – become a member and let your voice be heard!

As many of you cannot fail to avoid – it’s Olympic year! Hurrah I hear you say! When I’m not working at NRAS, I’m involved in the Dorney & Eton Ambassador programme who are recruiting and training local people to help out during the Olympic rowing events at Dorney Lake (in our ‘colourful’ pink and purple uniforms!). The Ambassador programme has now created over 11,000 volunteers around the country and I am now one of 500 trained volunteers who will be available to help their local community, before, during and after the Olympics. So perhaps the Olympics will leave a lasting legacy after all...

Just a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend a very sunny (and slightly surreal) day looking after Star Wars characters at Legoland Windsor and this weekend I will be stewarding at the Royal Windsor Horse show and Jubilee Pageant. Two very different roles, but both rewarding in their own way. It feels wonderful to be giving something back and to be using my skills for the benefit of others. Many of you already do amazing things for NRAS, whether it be helping our fundraising team, being part of our telephone support network, distributing information to surgeries/hospitals, coordinating our groups meetings or just simply helping us spreading the word! Helping NRAS, helps you! If you are not already involved and would like to volunteer, in however small a way, contact our volunteer network on 0845 458 3969 or visit our website for more information.

Make 2012 your ‘year to volunteer’!

Happy Friday to you all!

Emma
Membership Supervisor