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My name is Liz and I have been a Helpline volunteer with BackCare for just over a year. I am an ex-nurse
and a back pain sufferer and live on my own with my cat ‘Tyson’ but - with my ‘police record’ -
I don't know how I managed to get through the ‘vetting’!
Let me explain. I help the police, as a volunteer, with the training of new officers. To date I've been
breathalised 250 times, arrested for drunk and disorderly, receiving stolen goods, having no tax and
insurance and begging on the street. This last one turned out to be a little embarrassing -there I
was outside the Masonic Hall in Preston with my ‘Homeless in Preston’ sign with two trainee police
officers when I heard "Hello Liz (in a very concerned voice), how’re you doing?”. It was an old school
friend who I hadn't seen for years and I quickly explained what was happening!
My latest arrest was at Blackpool Airport as a drug- dealer with the police dog section.
I can recommend being a role player as it is good fun and the only time I can knock a policeman's helmet
off and get away with it!
I also help with funding for projects for the police such as a recent youth project with the aim of
trying to keep youths off the streets and out of trouble. The first event, in December 2005, was a
taster day at the local leisure centre with a range of activities including football, swimming and
badminton. Sir Tom Finney presented the trophies at a day enjoyed by all.
To date, I have received five awards for my work with the police. One of these, for my work within
the local community, included a visit to the House of Commons and to Number 10, Downing Street to see
Tony Blair.
I enjoy my work on a Thursday afternoon as a Helpline volunteer and like to think I have something to
offer my fellow back pain sufferers. I've recently been asked to give a presentation by a local support
group called SMILE (Self Motivation in Lasting Endorpins) - self help group of chronic pain sufferer's -
on being a Helpline volunteer. I also work at my local hospital within PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison
Service) which compliments working as a Helpline volunteer, as I am familiar with the hospital system
and how you find information etc.
In my spare time(?), I like to swim managing about 90 lengths a day, the only trouble is I've arms
like Arnie!!! In the summer my greatest achievement was a sponsored ‘fun run’ or in my case fun crawl!!
round the Preston Docks which was 1.4 miles. I finished last and took nearly two hours but had a great
sense of satisfaction that I had done it and that I raised nearly £200 for the local St Catherine’s
Hospice.
The last thing I'd like to add PLEASE is that I am not from Yorkshire - I am a Lancashire lass and there
is a life with back pain!
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