Riding On Report Autumn 2022

A happy NEW YEAR to one and all. I hope that the festive period of December and January wasn’t too strenuous. Mine was relaxing with family and some time away with my wonderful wife at Tin Can Bay.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (or RA) I hear you ask? Well, it isn’t a pleasant thing to meet. A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet. There are treatments to manage the pain etc but there’s NO CURE (currently). That’s where UCARF is assisting by funding research into finding one. Each test performed by our researchers is one test closer to finding that elusive cure or furthering treatment for suffering patients. Just remember that our bodies are like a lotto game, you could win on your first attempt, or it may take many years of trying to get the winning 6 numbers. Research is a lot more focused, but the odds are still great and thank goodness for percentages that each time they try another avenue, the odds are reduced in their favour.

Now to the donations as shown on my spreadsheet (I’ve put individuals first then branches):
Individuals: Mike Abberfield $47.00, P Butler $303.00, I had mentioned in the Spring edition that UCARF was getting a bequest from the late Trevor Woodhead estate of $10 000.00 and it arrived.

Branches: Newcastle $585.00, Yarra Ranges $1500.00, Hobart $731.90, St George Sutherland $1000.00, Macedon Ranges $200.00, Westgate Wanderers $250.00, Lockyer $3839.78, Sunshine Coast $162.30, Warnbro Sound Wanderers $200.00, Sale & District $500.00, RV Group Tasmania $224.85, UCARF
Patches $1250.00, Lake Macquarie $55.00, Mallee $250.00 Coffs Coast $750.00, Melbourne $600.00. 

From previous months: Not the Rally, Rally $3000.00.
Explanation: Funds were already gathered for the MANDURAH WA Rally/AGM 2021 and a decision was made to pass to UCARF on behalf of ALL Western Australian Members that had helped prepare for the cancelled rally. A massive thank you to all of them and here’s hoping that they’ll get to use their newfound skills again soon.

I can’t thank everyone enough for the consistent contributions to UCARF. Even during the height of the world pandemic, you members are still finding ways to raise funds and contribute. For those that are off to WARWICK in April 2022 for the RALLY, please seek me out. I’ll be on site with my wife, Grace, (who happens to be CHECK IN Coordinator as well) so just ask for FOGGY and I shouldn’t be too far away.

The day prior to writing this, Grace and I met a lady, who’s begun suffering with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Mostly in her hands but is now spreading to other areas of her body and she’s been seriously struggling to find comfort from her specialist, as they do not fully understand RA. This lady is now transferrin to a new specialist in the hope that they’re more aware of the disease! Her eyes teared up when I identified as a ULYSSIAN plus the Coordinator for UCARF and what our fund is about. This lady could be a direct recipient of care when our researchers find out more about RA and how to treat it, and with a miracle and/or God’s blessing, cure RA.

Please remain focused on the BIG picture and let go of the small stuff as life is too short. An oldish saying or maybe I just made it up?: Hair today, Bald tomorrow.

Yours faithfully and see you at the SEQld Rally in Warwick.

Ian ‘Foggy’ Winter
UCARF Coordinator,
#53026 TM #59