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John's Speirs runs for FMA UK and for his wife
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- Category: General Information
- Published on Friday, 08 December 2017 12:26
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John Speirs is running a series of marathons and runs to support FMA UK work and to raise awareness of fibromyalgia because his wife, Lynn, lives with fibromyalgia. We have already written about John’s challenges and here is an update from John after he has run a few more runs. John: ‘’ The Strathclyde Park Half Marathon event went really well.... I finished 4th! I completed in 99 minutes on a very slippery and cold course and set a personal record of 5k of 19.39 minutes also I’m chuffed!’’.
John has also run the Cumbernauld Santa run 5k. In January he will start a proper marathon training for Edinburgh Marathon taking place in May 2018.
John told us: ‘’So I’ve decided to run a marathon at the grand old age of 42. Why? Very simple, to help raise awareness of Fibromyalgia and hopefully raise some much needed money. My wife Lynn was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 6 years ago. Since then she has got progressively worse and she is now in constant pain.
It breaks my heart when Lynn can’t join in with swimming, cycling, running, jumping and pretty much every physical activity that our daughter enjoys. I see my wife’s sadness and frustration at sitting on the sidelines, so to speak. All the above led me to the point of thinking that I need to try and raise awareness. I decided that running would be a good method so I’ve embarked on a journey. Run the Edinburgh Marathon for FMAUK. I have paid my own entry fee as I didn’t want FMAUK using valuable funds paying my entry fee in return for an agreed sponsorship amount. I want everything I raise to go directly to FMAUK. If you have read my story and could possibly donate £1 via my just giving page I would be very grateful.’’
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-speirs4
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Our professionally printed Information pack on fibromyalgia can be found here to view. You will also receive a free copy on request. We also have a booklet for young people with fibromyalgia that you can obtain on request and will be on the website soon.
FMA UK has recently changed some of its telephone numbers for helplines and groups. Please check here for more information on the New Contact Numbers if required.
FMA UK offers a range of support and information including:
- National Helpline 0300 999 3333 (10am - 4pm Mon - Fri)
- Benefits Helpline 0300 999 0055 (10am - 12pm Mon, Wed and Fri)
- Complimentary information booklets for doctors and other professionals (fully referenced)
- Books and videos
- Website Contacts with legal specialists
- Conferences
- Local support group and helpline contacts
The charity is run by volunteers, most of whom have fibromyalgia.
If your Health Care Professional needs some education in fibromyalgia you can request that an FMA UK Health Professionals Pack is sent out to them. All we need is the name of the Health CareProfessional and the address of their practice. We will then send a pack to their surgery addressed from us to them.
You can request a medical pack using this form.
You can find a Support Group near you by contacting the Regional Coordinator for your area. If there does not happen to be a support group near you then maybe you can join with some other members and set one up. Support groups provide a social benefit as well as the opportunity to share tips on coping with fibro. They come in all shapes and sizes and we are often told how they have helped people.
