Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey and Sussex

Surrey County Council
Awards for Volunteering 10th July 2007

Jo was one of 21 Volunteers who were presented with glass engraved awards at the Surrey County Council Awards for Volunteering Presentation Ceremony at County Hall, Kingston upon Thames on 10th July.

It was a prestigious occasion where the actress Penelope Keith was guest of honour. The presentations were made by Angela Fraser, Chairman of the Council. Award winners’ ages ranged from teens to nineties and their contributions to the community were equally varied.

Jo won her award for volunteering; founding and developing the Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey and Sussex. Regular meetings are held in both counties. Fibromyalgia is a painful condition affecting the nervous system and soft tissues with side effects like sleeplessness, fatigue, often overlapping with other conditions.

Jo has changed the lives of many sufferers from being pain ridden and depressed to being able to manage their pain and to become optimistic about life. She runs a helpline which is a lifeline.

Attending with Jo was Stella the Webmistress - who had proposed Jo for the award - and her husband. Sitting on the same row was Lesley Kitchen who had been on the judging panel and who works for a volunteer organisation.

A selection of photos taken at County Hall follows: