Volunteer ME sufferer saves shop

Published on Thursday 31 July 2008 10:48

A SHOPKEEPER whose business has survived thanks to the generosity of an ME sufferer is launching a charity to help him and people like him.

Sandra Majboudoub, 47, only opened Royal Artizana in Leith Walk last September, but loss of business from the tram works had almost forced her to close.

However, John Garner, 44, one of her earliest customers, stepped into the breach, offering to work for free to keep it afloat.

The two or three days his illness allows him to work has given Mrs Majboudoub the opportunity to do temp work and bring in another wage.

Now the pair have launched a fundraising drive to fund the charity ME Endurance, which they hope will be a lifeline to sufferers in the city.

Mr Garner, who lives in Lorne Street, said: "We want to help people get things like proper cooked meals, bus passes and showers fitted in every sufferer's home.

"We are hoping to receive donations of cars and other transport and have a phone line operating until 10pm, so we can collect shopping and cook meals, and even provide holidays and days out.

"Some people with ME can become very isolated. I've been helping out in the shop since the middle of March. I do it because it's good to be a member of society, I want to work.

He added: "I'm extremely grateful to Sandra as I've been talking about starting this charity for years and now it is finally happening."

ME, or chronic fatigue syndrome as it is also known, results in tiredness and muscle fatigue. Mr Garner's condition leaves him unable to get out of bed some days.

Despite a 2002 report by the Chief Medical Officer for England concluding that ME is a genuine and disabling condition, some people still believe it is all in the mind, which can make it difficult to raise funds and provide support for sufferers.

Mr Garner, who previously worked as a cleaner and carer, developed the illness five-and-a-half years ago. He says it is the result of a bout of glandular fever and a mystery illness which left him with a low white blood cell and red blood cell count.

He has been able to work part-time at Royal Artizana because Mrs Majboudoub is understanding about his condition and accepts that sometimes he will call her up and say he is unable to come in, forcing her to make new arrangements.

Mrs Majboudoub, a mother-of-one from Lasswade, said: "John came in to buy a tea set when we opened last September. We got to know each other and have become good friends.

"We've had a very difficult time because of the trams and were considering shutting up shop.

"John started working for us – had it not been for him the shop would no longer be here."

Anyone who would like to offer support to ME Endurance should call 0131-555 3999

www.edinburgh.gumtree.com/edinburgh/40/26360340.html