Premier Care in Bathing to raise cash for Arthritis Research UK (From Redditch Advertiser)

Premier Care in Bathing to raise cash for Arthritis Research UK

1:30pm Thursday 11th October 2012 in News

PREMIER Care in Bathing is marking World Arthritis Day on Friday by donating 10 per cent of sales on the day to Arthritis Research UK, which will amount to thousands of much needed pounds for research and development.

The Redditch company, which provides a range of bathing solutions for people with limited mobility, recently hosted a training demonstration at its factory, where staff donned a special mobility-suit which simulates the stiff, aching limbs and unsteadiness that arthritis suffers endure.

The specialist suit also incorporates scratched goggles and ear muffs to simulate sight and hearing difficulties, plus a neck brace and arm and leg inserts to restrict movement.  The suit is regularly used by the company’s product development team to help staff understand and experience the physical limitations of the elderly and people with limited mobility, and therefore designs products that are suitable for their needs. 

Gordon Farmiloe, managing director, said: “We are committed to helping people live independent and safer lives at home and, therefore, working with Arthritis Research UK is just one of our ways to demonstrate this commitment.  The money will be put to valuable use in supporting The Arthritis Research UK Centre for Sport and Exercise Injuries which will be launched next year, as there is a link between sport injuries and the potential for later development of osteoarthritis.

“We are also helping to encourage people to complete Arthritis Research UK’s National Arthritis Survey which aims to build up a more complete picture of how arthritis affects the UK population. People can visit our website and follow the link through.  It really is important that as many people as possible complete the survey so we urge people to take time and support the cause.

“What’s more, for those that complete the survey via our website, we’ll give them a £250 discount off the purchase of an adapted bathing solution from Premier Care in Bathing.”

Louise Holland, fundraising director at Arthritis Research UK,  added: “We are delighted that Premier Care in Bathing is getting involved in this year’s World Arthritis Day and our National Arthritis Week which will help raise awareness of the impact and prevalence of arthritis in the UK.

“Arthritis Research UK is the charity leading the fight against arthritis and we are the biggest funder of research into the causes, treatment and cure of all forms of arthritis in the UK.   We work to take the pain away for people living with all forms of the disease to help them remain active, doing the things they love.

“We receive no government funding, but rely on the generosity and commitment of our supporters, such as Premier Care in Bathing, to continue funding this world class research. We are delighted that the money raised will help support our first major UK programme in 2013, The Arthritis Research UK Centre for Sport and Exercise Injuries.”

For more details, see premierbathrooms.co.uk or arthritisresearchuk.org or nationalarthritisweek.org.uk.