Day 11: Preston – Lancaster – Carlisle
The final day of our Challenge started like all the other days – in lovely sunshine. We cannot believe how lucky we’ve been with the weather.
Wednesday night had been a bit trying for Liz and Donna – who had gone outside the hotel for Donna to have a cigarette, and faced a barrage of “humour”/abuse from the guy on night duty at the Premier Inn. Liz had attempted to explain why we were all wearing sweatshirts promoting Tourettes Action, and why we were doing this Challenge – but to no avail. Some people have no empathy. A complaint to the duty manager the next morning resulted in a re-credit of one of our rooms and two free breakfasts, as well as a profuse apology.
At Preston Town Hall we were able to use the happenings of the night before as illustration of what many people with TS have to endure on a regular basis. The Mayor, Councillor Veronica Afrin, who is a retired nurse with thirty three years experience in the Health Service, had many many questions for us, and was keen to learn a lot more about Tourettes.
She quickly agreed to issue a press release and also circulate our Information Pack within the local authority, but also wanted to know what more she could do to support people with Tourettes in the Preston area. We shall be passing that offer on to our local contacts. Sadly our friend Chris had been too unwell to join us at the Town Hall.
After over-running on time due to us having such positive and helpful discussions, we left Preston – with the Mayor kindly insisting on writing to MPs for us – and headed for Lancaster. At the amazing Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park we met Chief Health & Housing Officer Suzanne Lodge, and Michael Hill from the Press Office.
The view over the city, and Morecambe Bay beyond, was fabulous. Suzanne agreed to circulate our information within the authority – and also within the county Partnership and to Lancashire County Council. Michael had already prepared a press release, and took a number of photos to accompany it. Liz was starting to feel a little better after a bad morning. Readers who know about Tourettes will be interested to know that several members of Liz’s family suffer from chronic strep infections. The link between TS and strep throat infections is currently the subject of a number of research projects worldwide.
Our Lancaster venue had been thoughtfully selected by Michael to ensure a quick exit for us back onto the M6, which was very helpful in getting us back on track to reach Carlisle by 2 pm. The Lake District scenery was magnificent, with the sun shining on the mountains and forests dressed in their Autumn colours. We zoomed into motorway services for a loo stop and to pick up burgers for lunch, then Donna continued to drive us up to our last stop of the Challenge – Carlisle.
Mayor Councillor Ray Bloxham, the Mayoress Mrs Bloxham and Cllr Anne Quilter were all waiting for us in Reception at Carlisle Civic Centre – with warm hugs of welcome, and congratulations for us all.
We were really touched. Also joining us were Antony Cablis, who has TS, and his mum Sandra. Mayor Bloxham took us up to his Parlour, where tea and biscuits were served – along with excellent discussion. He thanked us for raising awareness of the condition – and pointed out that until now he had known virtually nothing about it. He suggested that the Council do a feature in its next Staff magazine (which has subsequently been confirmed), as well as issuing a press release and photograph, and disseminating our information through local partnerships and via Cumbria County Council. After hugs all round, we set off, Jac driving the final leg of our journey together from Carlisle to Eileen’s house.
In the car we mulled over our Big Adventure. What an experience it had proved to be. Overwhelmingly positive and beyond our hopes in terms of the welcomes we had received in every single city in England, and the actions that Councils had agreed to undertake. We agreed that we would do the immediate follow-up we had promised in a few cities, and then a further mail-out after two or three weeks. Our Just Giving site will remain active for a month.
However, already we can honestly say that the leadership of every City in the country is now Tourettes aware. That in itself was worth doing. Our friend back-at-base Paul has been monitoring some of the regional press activity, and we know that we have reached several hundreds of thousands of people already through local press circulation, and more than 160,000 through Paul’s tweets on Twitter. Of course it’s a small ripple in a big pond, and there remains much to do in raising awareness, busting the myths and improving understanding and support. Not to mention all the research that’s needed. Tourettes Action is a small charity with a big task. We are only pleased to have been able to help a little.
For now we are all back at home with our families, having lots of hugs and appreciating the time together. Jac, who hasn’t had her customary afternoon nap in eleven days, will be sleeping for a week. Eileen, who has enjoyed a peaceful eleven days without a single child or dog in the bed at nights will be back to enjoying her noisy big family as Nanna. Donna, who has three young children who have been looked after by Daddy Andrew, will be back in the bosom of her family and the usual family routine. And Liz, who has been sorely missed, will be back in charge of home, family, and dogs. We all feel privileged to have been able to do this Tourettes Awareness Challenge together. Thank you for following us and thank you for all your support.
We’re home! We did it! Already it seems like a bit of a dream.