Our new Secretary is Sarah Nicholls. Sarah has been involved in other organisations as Secretary and it is great to have her on our committee. She is just about to have her and Roy's second baby and we look forward to hearing the news!

Finally, we now have a Treasurer, Steve Harding. He works in accounting and has had lots of experience with support groups and charities. We are really pleased to welcome Steve.

We still need one other person to help us. Dawn would like to concentrate on fund raising, but would need to hand over her role as Membership Secretary first. This is a vital role for the Group and a very rewarding one. If you would like more details please give Dawn (01438 861473) or me (01865 751332) a ring for an informal chat. I know the right person is out there so please think about it. We have to increase our committee to allow development and growth of the Group to meet demands. Go on, don't hold back, ring us today!

	From the Chair!

Our annual meeting in May was a great success and was well attended with around 50 people, coming from all over the UK and in fact we also had a visitor from Norway! We had interesting and informative talks from Maria Fraser, Research Nurse and Mr Daniel Porter, Lecturer in Orthopaedics. There was also plenty of time for socialising with other members and for the children to play together and get to know each other. Minutes are available from Judith Fletcher (0121 7423078). NB. A Nursery Rhyme book was left behind, please let me know if you are missing one!

Talking of socialising the picnic is on again this year. It will be on Sunday 3rd September in the Surrey area, more details to follow separately. Last year's was great fun and I do hope lots of you will be able to come along.

Very many thanks to those of you who have donated money to the Group - this is always very much appreciated and put to good use. In Issue 2 we mentioned that Dawn's local shopping centre, The West Gate, were organising lots of fund raising activities for the HMESG and I am pleased to report that we have now been presented with a cheque for £500 from this venture. A big thank you to everyone involved.

Our present aims for the Group are to develop the work of the committee so that we can take the Group forward as necessary. In the long term we still need to raise awareness of the Group amongst professionals and produce some information sheets. Lots to do!

Have a good summer and hope to see you at the picnic.

Helen Small

Next: A Case History
Back to: Newsletters