Exciting news – we are starting a new Lupus Support Group in Harrogate! 

The group is to be hosted by Cherry Bratkowski who is a long-time member of LUPUS UK and who was diagnosed with lupus in 1984 when she had just moved to Harrogate to teach.

In Cherry’s words “I received amazing support from our local group run by Edna Bates but unfortunately, due to members’ illness, the group disbanded in the 1990s and hasn’t existed since”.

Cherry’s daughter has also been unwell, displaying lupus symptoms of late, which has highlighted to Cherry how difficult the diagnosis journey can be and how important it is to have local support, especially in current times.

Cherry says that this has spurred her on to start a local support group.

The first meeting of the group will take place virtually on Saturday 5^th March at 11.30 a.m..  We are very excited that Dr Mike Green, Rheumatologist at Harrogate Hospital has agreed to spare some of his time to talk to the group and answer a few questions. 

When face to face meetings resume, the meetings will take place in a church hall near Harrogate Hospital.

Cherry is a musician and has plans for a fundraising concert and hopes to eventually do a sponsored walk around Grimwith Reservoir for “Go That Extra Mile”.

You can book your tickets for the first online meeting of the group HERE

For more information about the group, please contact me at National Office or at alida@lupusuk.org.uk