A TULLIBODY woman is putting all her efforts into raising money for ME Research UK.
Rochelle Hanslow has organised a fantastic craft fayre which will feature local artists and the opportunity to buy some handmade items, in aid of the national charity which aims to energise research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).
As previously reported in the Advertiser, the 28-year-old was diagnosed with ME and Fibromyalgia in 2013 following years of ill-health.
However, instead of allowing it to consume her life, she decided to help raise awareness, became an ambassador for ME Research UK and started documenting her journey online as Haggard Hanslow.
She said: “I wanted to do something for the time I had due to the same illness (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) which I was diagnosed with alongside Fibromyalgia in February 2013 after a long period of trying to get a diagnosis. 
“Not a lot is known about the illness but 250,000 people in the UK alone are affected by this illness and there is no cure. 
“There is still a lot of stigma associated with the illness, even in the medical profession, and I wanted to campaign not only for this particular charity but for awareness for the illness too.”
The charity fayre, at the Macrobert Arts Centre on Sunday November 1, is the first event Rochelle has organised and she is hoping there will be many more to come.
She said: “I have been trying to host my own charity event since I became an ambassador. I have many different ideas, however due to the charity not being as well-known as others, there is no funding for big events as all the money raised needs to go to the biomedical research done worldwide by the charity. 
“With this being the case, I thought starting out on a smaller scale would be best, as well as the fact I will be funding the event from my own money. 
“I hope this event is a success and will give me the following required to carry on to bigger event ideas that I have and will encourage local businesses and venues to be on board.
“I would like to thank events team at the Macrobert who have been a great support to me in my ideas so far and hope to have further events in the venue in the not too distant future.”