Do you suffer from chronic kidney disease?

There is a compassionate organisation based in Southport that can help.

Southport Kidney Fund, which has been helping patients and their families for over 40 years, is appealing for new patients of all ages with chronic kidney disease in the area to get in touch.

Committee member Erica Stanley said:

“Once diagnosed with kidney failure, a patient usually requires medication and a special very restrictive diet.

“Later stages of kidney failure require dialysis, and ultimately a kidney transplant.

“Dialysis and transplants are treatments and not cures. Dialysis usually requires three to four hour sessions three days per week and requires a patient to attend hospital or sometimes they can do it at home.”

Established in October 1979, Southport Kidney Fund is an independent charity that aids patients of all ages with end stage kidney failure within Southport and the surrounding areas.

Erica Stanley said:

“The committee of volunteers’ works hard to raise funds to support our kidney patients.

“Each year we usually have a variety of fundraising events and rely totally on the support of good people. This has obviously been severely affected by Covid-19

“We usually have social events to improve the lives of our members, including monthly coffee mornings, afternoon teas, Christmas meals and quizzes. These are for members, their families and care-givers.

“We are looking to do so much more and we’re hoping by getting more involved with our social media pages it will help spread awareness and involve many more people.

“Due to the Data Protection Act, Southport Kidney Fund is unable to find out who the new patients are and are prohibited from contacting them.

“If you know anyone on dialysis at hospital or at home who would like to join us please encourage them to make contact. Adults and children are welcome.

“Southport Kidney Fund can also provide financial assistance to patients who are in financial need. Each request is taken on its own merits and the committee meets monthly to discuss who needs help.”

Unfortunately the Southport Kidney Fund committee is struggling to continue its good work due to insufficient skill sets amongst its members.

Erica Stanley said:

“We desperately need someone with secretarial skills and possibly someone with accountancy skills. These people would need to attend the monthly meeting and be on the committee. If you can help in any way please contact us.

“This charity has so much to offer and it would be a shame to see it collapse.

“Southport Kidney Fund has an incredibly dedicated committee with experience of all forms of kidney treatment from diagnosis and pre-dialysis to all forms of dialysis and transplantation.

“If you or anyone you know would like to speak to someone please don’t hesitate to contact Southport Kidney Fund.

You can find the Southport Kidney Fund page on Facebook or on our website.www.southportkidneyfund.org

Donations can be sent to SKF (Southport Kidney Fund) online via our just giving page www.justgiving.com/southportkidneyfund

Or Please make cheques payable to Southport Kidney Fund and send to our treasurer, Mr I Hill 61 Chester Road, Southport PR9 7HD.