Charity lands £117,000 boost (From Gazette & Herald)

Charity lands £117,000 boost

A MALTON-based charity which has become internationally renowned as a source of vital information on a potentially devastating illness is celebrating a massive £117,000 cash boost.

The Encephalitis Support Group, which has just moved to new premises in Saville Street, has been given the much-needed lottery money through the community fund award.

The cash will mean a two-person support team can be employed by the group, helping people across the UK.

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, usually caused by a viral infection, which affects around 2,000 people each year.

Some sufferers may be able to return to their former lifestyle, but it can leave others profoundly physically or mentally disabled.

National co-ordinator Elaine Dowell said: "It was a feeling of relief when we heard we had the money.

"We have had community funding from the lottery for the past three years, and it runs out at the end of this month.

"It's not easy to get money just to continue with what you're doing - they are a bit more strapped for cash than they used to be."

The grant means the group can continue with its vital work.

"We have had money from BBC Children in Need in the past, but this award means our whole support service is fully funded for the next three years.

"Our members do very well, but they can't raise anything like this amount of money."

Medical experts and those whose lives are affected by encephalitis have relied on the charity since it began in 1994.

"We get 400 hits a week on the website alone, with inquiries from all around the world," said Elaine.

"We are an accredited information base with a growing advisory panel of experts, and our members are a very valuable resource of expertise.

"One of the biggest things we do is to help people come to terms with what's happening to them - we help to pick up the pieces and start back again. We have built up a huge information base here that is not available anywhere else in the world."

And as the icing on the cake, the charity has been nominated for a Queen's Golden Jubilee Award.

"This is like the OBE for voluntary organisations - we find out later this year whether we've won."

Updated: 09:40 Wednesday, February 19, 2003