Dinner - Speaker Kenny Innes from the Butterfly Trust

Thu, Aug 18th 2016 at 12:55 pm - 2:00 pm

On Thursday 18th August President Brian Johnson welcomed 18 Members to the lunchtime meeting at Gilvenbank Hotel.

Our speaker today was Kenny Innes from the Butterfly Trust which is the leading care provider for families coping with Cystic Fibrosis. This progressive and life limiting disease is caused by a defective gene which allows sticky mucous to build up in the lungs. This leads to frequent infections which in turn cause long term lung damage.

The build up of mucous also plugs the pancreas causing malabsorption of food leading to malnutrition.

This condition requires on going home treatment which completely takes over the life of the family involved. There is a complex regime of medications to be administered throughout the day and physiotherapy to help shift the mucous 2 or 3 times every 24 hours.

The Butterfly Trust provides volunteers to support families in a variety of ways-- doing household chores, providing transport to medical appointments and so on. The trust can also provide legal help and financial assistance for parents who cannot work because they are full tine carers. There are also links with schools and a mentoring service to ease transition from school to work or college.

The work of the trust is funded mainly by charitable grants and an energetic fundraising programme.

The VOT was given by Iain Haywood

Next week is an evening meeting ( 6 for 6.30 pm) with a buffet supper. The aim of the evening is to launch a Friends of Rotary group to back up the club's work in the community.

Anybody interested in attending should contact Brian Johnson 01592 743251

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