AN Eastbourne charity is aiming to raise £30,000 for a new charity shop and cafe.
The Eastbourne Fibro/ME Support Group wants to open the shop for sufferers of ME and fibromyalgia.
Emma Ducklin, President of Eastbourne Fibromyalgia and M.E Support Group, said: “We are a patient group trying to raise £30,000 to open the very first charity shop for Fibromyalgia and M.E Sufferers, family members, friends and carers.
“There will be a small coffee area where people can sit and chat and gain knowledge about these disabilities, and general support.
“Fibromyalgia affects approximately 5 million people and 250,000 suffer with M.E (myalgic encephalomyelitis) just in the U.K.
“We don’t want anyone to feel isolated, unbelieved, even some family members do not believe them when they have been diagnosed as these disabilities are very hard to see, also known as an invisible disability.
“Most sufferers will be in pain 24/7, unable to get enough sleep because we don’t get restorative sleep.
“It is unfortunate but we don’t just get Fibromyalgia, there are 60+ other illness that go hand in hand with it, for example; Restless Leg Syndrome, Reynaud’s Phenomenon.
“Having a chronic disability can be frightening and isolating, we as a support group work hard to raise awareness of these conditions so that there is a better understanding within the community and also the healthcare profession.”
You can donate at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ebournefibroandme?utm_term=JeKNqKvEY&fbclid=IwAR18MOi7Ts3SvnC9dleCCHrUGY0bZtzdA1V-vu_K9aPwylatPMCqEwK9y_0.
Email ebournefibroandmesupport@live.com
The website is www.fibroandmesupport.org.uk