Town Hall will be lit up for a special day

WARRINGTON Town Hall will be lit up in purple, blue and green to mark International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on Thursday.
Mayor Cllr Geoff Settle’s plan for the late night light show was inspired by a Warrington woman who works to raise awareness of the chronic health condition.
Beth Urmston has had fibromyalgia for most of her life and was forced to give up work in 2009 after 35 years of employment.
In 2014 Beth founded Flare Magazine and Awareness Group – which is based in Warrington but has a worldwide membership. The magazine has been nominated for this year’s National Diversity Awards.
Beth, with her carer Shirley Torkington and group members Wendy Willis and Sarah Blackburn were invited to meet the mayor to discuss their work.
Beth said: “Too many patients are still being left to flounder on their own, looking for ways to manage their condition and retain their independence and a reasonable quality of life. That is why I started the magazine.
“We were overjoyed to be invited to meet the Mayor to talk about the work of the magazine and awareness group and our aspirations for the future.”
Cllr Settle said: “Although Beth is in constant pain and also suffers with chronic fatigue, at times unable to lift her head from the pillow or raise her arms, she is determined to raise awareness of fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue.
“Just coming to visit me took a great deal of effort.”
There are plans to form a Warrington support group for anyone who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue.
Anyone interested in the magazine or in attending a support group Beth can be contacted via the website flaremag.uk or by telephone 01925 480899.