(PRWEB UK) 1 September 2017 -- Renowned television historian and host, Dan Snow, will present a BBC One Lifeline Appeal on behalf of national charity, The British Polio Fellowship, at 3.15pm on Sunday 3 September (to be re-run at 1.00pm on Wednesday 6 September, on BBC Two). The Lifeline Appeal is a significant awareness and fundraising opportunity for The British Polio Fellowship, with 120,000 Polio survivors in the UK affected by Post Polio Syndrome (PPS), a little known and little understood debilitating neurological condition. You can find more information on the Lifeline Appeal here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b094l1qr
The ten minute appeal will be used to remind the United Kingdom of Polio’s significant yet very rarely reported legacy. The British Polio Fellowship is purely run on donations and receives no government funding; hence the appeal actively encourages people to give to the cause, as the charity has very few opportunities to reach such a captive audience.
Dan Snow is the perfect presenter for British Polio’s Lifeline Appeal, as he has a personal interest in the charity’s work. “I am very happy to be presenting the Lifeline Appeal on behalf of The British Polio Fellowship, as my family was almost wiped out by Polio in the 1950s. Now, dealing with Post Polio Syndrome is the challenge for survivors, and we’re looking to raise awareness of this often invisible disability and raise much needed funds for the charity to help its members cope with the day-to-day issues life throws at them.”
Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) is a neurological condition which can occur in up to 80 per cent of those who have had Polio. It is estimated that around 120,000 people in the UK are living with PPS today. Symptoms of PPS can vary from increasing weakness, fatigue and pain in previously affected or unaffected muscles, a general reduction in stamina, breathing, sleeping and/or swallowing problems and cold intolerance. The British Polio Fellowship is a charity dedicated to helping, supporting and empowering those in the UK living with the late effects of Polio and PPS.
CEO of The British Polio Fellowship, Ted Hill MBE, said: “We are really grateful to Dan Snow and the BBC and tremendously excited about the opportunity to showcase our charity’s work. The appeal is an amazing way to reach people who haven’t heard of PPS and make people aware that Polio’s legacy lives on and people require a range of support from us. Dan is a perfect fit for our appeal – his own family having been terribly affected by Polio in the 50s and we hope this personal connection will really resonate with viewers.”
Further information about the British Polio Fellowship and details on how to make a donation can be found at http://www.britishpolio.org.uk or by calling 0800 043 1935. ENDS
Notes to editor
About The British Polio Fellowship
The British Polio Fellowship is a charity dedicated to helping, supporting and empowering those in the UK living with the late effects of Polio and Post Polio Syndrome (PPS). It provides information, advocacy, welfare and support to enable its members to live full independent and integrated lives and works to develop worldwide alliances with other Polio and Post Polio groups for the mutual benefit of its members. Further information about the British Polio Fellowship and details on how to make a donation can be found at http://www.britishpolio.org.uk or by calling 0800 043 1935.
About Post Polio Syndrome (PPS)
Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) is a neurological condition which can occur in up to 80% of those who have had Polio. It is estimated that around 120,000 people in the UK are living with PPS today. After an interval of several years of stability, individuals can develop increasing weakness, fatigue and pain in previously affected or unaffected muscles, a general reduction in stamina, breathing, sleeping and/or swallowing problems and cold intolerance. PPS usually begins very slowly, although it can appear suddenly and often following triggers such as falls, surgery or immobility. There is no specific cure for PPS, but properly managed it may stabilise or only progress slowly and lessen the cost on the NHS whilst increasing the quality of life of those affected. Much can be done to retain independence, including self-management strategies such as pacing and energy management, appropriate use of adaptive equipment, looking after your general health, and social and emotional support.
British Polio Fellowship Support Services
The Support Services arm of the British Polio Fellowship has helped scores of members and others with everything with advice on PIP to providing assistance to members at the Social Entitlement Chamber First Tier Tribunal Appeals. The charity receives help from the Faculty of Advocates, Bar Pro Bono and the FRU, but also represents its members directly at such hearings as and when required.
The Support Services team encourages people worried by PIP to contact them for an appointment to discuss the case. The team is very busy so it is important people contact them as soon as the receive the invitation for PIP. The completed application form must be returned before the due date. If you fail to do so, you may lose the benefit entirely and may have to claim Attendance Allowance if you are over 65.
Attendance Allowance does not have a Mobility component and most people are better off on Personal Independence Payment. It is also important to gather as much medical evidence about your history of medical condition/s from the time you think of making the PIP application. You might want to arrange an appointment with your GP for a specialist referral or consultation for any new symptoms you may have noticed. Your application will only be strong with enough medical evidence that explains the full impact of your condition/s on your daily life.
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REFBPF00997 - BBC One Lifeline Appeal 2017 Dan Snow
Jon Gardner, BeyondPR, +44 1142756996, [email protected]
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