A CIRENCESTER woman is campaigning with the Forever Friends Appeal to help them reach their £2m fundraising target for the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) and Therapies Centre being built at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath. 

Lucinda Mitchell, a horse riding fanatic, will be the face of the 'Therapies Matter' campaign along with other former patients who have received therapy to help aid their recovery or learn how to manage their long term condition. 

Mitchell developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS) eight years ago and she was then unable to continue horse riding as it was too painful but with the support of the RNHRD she was eventually able to get back on the saddle and she was full of praise for the team in Bath who helped her along the way. 

"CPRS is a chronic pain condition which mostly affects one limb," she explained. "I was diagnosed with it in my right leg but it has since spread to affect my lower back and arm. I was referred to the CPRS team in a Bath and they are incredible. They explained my condition in detail and their support was overwhelming. 

"During my stay at the RNHRD I learnt to live with my condition. One of the symptoms of CPRS is your brain distorts the way your effected limb looks which is a huge battle for me as I still can't look at my affected leg. 

"I also really missed riding my horse and after my treatment my mum said to me 'why don't you try ride side saddle?' So i asked the CPRS team and they said give it a go.

"I'm very lucky where i live to have an equestrian centre that specialises in side saddle riding so I explained my condition to my instructor and he put me on a safe horse and I felt incredible after I got off." 

"I now compete in side saddle classes up and down the country and we do pretty well. I came fourth out of 25 in our first international show and I've had many wins in dressage and side saddle classes." 

Mitchell was keen to emphasise how vital the support of the RNHRD has been and is hoping her story will prompt people to donate. 

She said: "Without the help of the RNHD team I wouldn't have achieved what I have. This new Therapies Centre is so important to help patients like me and I hope my story will encourage those who can, to make a donation.

Head of fundraising for the 'Forever Friends Appeal, Tim Hobbs added: "For many patients like Lucinda, their lives have been completely turned around from having intensive treatment such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy and others.

"That's why it's so important the RUH has this new innovative, state of the art RNHRD Therapies Centre built so they can continue to provide much needed therapy services to the 25,000 people who are treated every year. 

"The Therapies Centre is costing around £16m to build and thanks to benefactors Andrew and Christina Brownsword's pledge, every pound will be match funded - up to £1m which is fantastic so we hope the public will join us and help us achieve our target."