- Letters to Editor:-
- "Meningitis Trust"
"DEAR Sir/Madam
I am writing to express my thanks to all those people who have supported the Meningitis Trust and helped to raise awareness of meningitis during 2004.
The Meningitis Trust relies heavily on all its supporters, their friends and families to continue to provide support for life to sufferers and fund life-saving medical research.
As many of your readers know, meningitis can strike anyone at any time and of any age and still affects thousands of people in the UK every year.
Please do be vigilant over this holiday period and the coming winter months, I have included a reminder of the symptoms below for your readers' attention. Nurses on our 24 hour helpline are providing round the clock information and support throughout the festive period on 0845 6000 800 or visit our website at www.meningitis-trust.org.
Readers in the North West can contact me directly on 0845 120 4764 or email chrish@meningitis-trust.org for further information on receiving educational talks and literature.
Thank you all once again and best wishes for 2005.
Yours sincerely, Christine Hughes, Regional Development Officer North West Meningitis Trust"
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF MENINGITIS AND SEPTICAEMIA INCLUDE:-
Fever, headache, stiff neck, light aversion, drowsiness, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, high-pitched cry (in babies) and a bulging fontanelle or soft spot on the top of the head (in babies).
Symptoms can appear in any order and may not all appear at once.
Both adults and children may have a rash (septicaemia) that doesn't disappear under pressure. Please remember, do not wait for the rash as it may not always appear. If you suspect meningitis seek medical help immediately.
|
St Lukes Church is a good example of safety and tradition
THIS year some churches have dropped the much loved Christingle Service and other candlelight services becauseor a fear of accidents. Carol, crib and Christingle services are an important part of Christmas celebrations, and they also attract many visitors to churches, but by extinguishing the candles we lose some of the tradition and much of the impact that candlelight creates. Many see this as a sadly growing trend of
safety, consciousness taken too far. In Formby though, St Luke's Church is one of the dwindling number of churches in the area to still have a Christingle service, a relatively recent import of an old Moravian custom.Near the end of the service each child is given an orange representing the world, with sweets on four sticks representing the four seasons, a red ribbon representing unity and Christ's sacrifice and a lighted candle symbolizing God as the light of the world. This service raises funds for the Church of England Children's Society..
St Luke's services have become so popular that they have put on two services for the last two years. The idea being to stop over crowding and to minimise risk. If your church wants to use candles, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group say don't cut the idea, just consider the festive service safety rules:-
Are the candles you're using of good slow-burning quality and provided with drip trays?
Have you organised stewards, ensured fire extinguishers and fire blankets are available and in good working order and identified fire exits?
After the service when everyone has gone, a last inspection should be done to safeguard against smouldering candles.
Ecclesiastical, the UK's leading insurer of Anglican churches in the UK, has produced a guide to church functions, including candlelit services, containing advice on how to organise your event.
If you want a free copy, click here to down load the PDF
guide.
|
