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(20/9/2013) Memorial Service for Jean Thompson
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There will be a memorial service for our former chairperson Jean Thompson on Tuesday 24 September at 11am in Belvoir Presbyterian Church. All available members are asked to attend.
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(19/9/2013) Death of Former Chairperson - Jean Thompson
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The committee and members of The Northern Ireland Polio Fellowship are saddened to learn of the sudden death of our former Chairperson Jean Thompson on 18 September 2013. We offer sincere condolences to her sister Harriet and her nephews and nieces.
Jean was born 90 years ago in Donegal and when she contracted polio as a young girl she was the only person in her locality to have polio. Jean never let polio hold her back. She hated to be called a polio sufferer. She said she was a polio survivor.
Jean like most polio survivors got on with life and worked for many years in a Children's Home. She was active in the Fellowship and every week made the long journey from Donaghadee to Polio House on the Antrim Road by bus. She served on the committee under her mentor Harold Rankin. When Harold became ill but for the determination of Jean the Fellowship may well have folded.
As the younger members grew up they drifted away from the fellowship. The onset of The Troubles also took a heavy toll on membership but Jean struggled on. After fires at Polio House meetings were held in Jean's home. She continued to organise the annual dinner, annual holiday, trip to the pantomime and monthly outings.
As survivors started to suffer form The Late Effects of Polio there was renewed interest in the Fellowship. Despite failing health Jean spearheaded a campaign to raise awareness of this new threat to survivors. She was instrumental in having articles published on the subject in The Belfast Telegraph, The Newsletter and The Irish News. The campaign was so successful that membership rose from just over 20 to well over 200. Jean led a delegation to The Department of Health which led to them funding a leaflet issued to all GPs and Health Centres. They also funded two major conferences - one for Medical Professionals and one for Polio Survivors.
The Fellowship owes a great debt of gratitude to Jean for her many years of tireless service on our behalf. She has now gone to her well earned eternal reward.
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(19/9/2013) Next Quiz - 5 October 2013
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The next quiz will be held on Saturday 5 October at 7.30pm in The Dockers Club, Pilot Street.
As usual the cost is £6 per person and this includes entry to the quiz, supper, spot prizes and play your cards right.
Hope to see you all there.
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