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Launch of Dorset ME Support Group website

10 February 2012

RAG logo BU to host launch party for the Dorset ME Support Group website.

It is rare that a chairman of an organisation has experienced all angles of what it’s about.

Dr William Tudor-Thomas is a unique case, having been forced to retire from general practice in 1996 due to his battle with ME, then helping to set up the CFS/ME NHS Service in Wareham Hospital in 1998, and taking over as Chairman of the Dorset ME Support Group 3 years ago.

The Dorset ME Support Group, a registered charity, has over 600 members of all ages and is a membership organisation offering help and support to those with CFS and ME.

Lauren Ellis, president of RAG was thrilled that the donation made has had a visible outcome:

“It’s really nice that the whole donation was able to go to one big project, that the money raised funded the whole of the website and we have some ME sufferers at the uni which are supported by the group so it is really nice to get something for the sufferers and students that use the group too.”

The website will be given its official launch at a party held at Bournemouth University on February 13.

“I felt overwhelmed by the amount of money raised, and knew that we could use it to create this website” said Dr Tudor-Thomas. “Then it occurred to me that we should launch it using the very people whose fundraising had given us the chance to fulfil the project”.

Key Multimedia, a graphic design company based in Poundbury, were hired to create the website as the support group wanted to keep the website in line with its mission of supporting local people.

The website was created with the aim to improve the quality of life for the 600+ members in Dorset, creating a forum for people to talk to each other, organise events, and find out what is happening in the latest ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome research.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole will be in attendance of the website launch as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on CFS/ME in the Houses of Parliament. Also present will be Michelle Selby, the Chair of the British Association for CFS/ME, and the Senior Occupational Therapist at the Wareham CFS/ME Service, as well as staff from both that clinic and the one for young people with CFS/ME which is based in Dorchester. Trustees and staff from DMESG will also be present to celebrate this achievement.

The Dorset ME Support Group website launch party will be held in room KG01, Kimmeridge House, Bournemouth University from 12.30pm onwards with complimentary refreshments.

For any press enquiries please contact Bournemouth University press office on 01202 963963.

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