Certificate handed over to long-serving Wick Healing Hub volunteer
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A local woman has been presented with a volunteering award to mark her commitment to Wick's oxygen therapy centre over a period of almost four decades.
Chrissie Gunn received a certificate from the Highland Third Sector Interface which was handed over by Willie Watt, Vice-Lieutenant of Caithness.
The presentation was made at the Healing Hub at Wick's Braehead, where Chrissie and other volunteers operate a barochamber to help people with a range of health conditions.
“It was a surprise, but I don't do it for rewards – I do it because I believe in it,” Chrissie (71) said.
Her long-term voluntary efforts also extend to the Red Cross – she has been part of that charity for 57 years, having joined when she was still at school.
Chrissie's involvement in oxygen therapy provision began 39 years ago when a committee was formed in the far north to raise £10,000 to buy a chamber to support people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
"We raised the money in 10 months," Chrissie recalled. "It was a lot of money back then."
The chamber became part of Action Research into Multiple Sclerosis (ARMS). The first premises were in Grant Street before it moved in 1996 to the former Old Men's Rest at the Braehead.
"We took part in research into causes and treatments for MS but this research has shown that using a chamber can be a benefit for many conditions, especially where the cause is inflammation in the body," Chrissie said.
"We have people with various conditions such as fibromyalgia, Lyme disease and ME [myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome] and we've had quite a few people with long Covid who all get some benefit."
Three local people are now using the Healing Hub for long Covid treatment.
“They have a lot more energy and they are less tired. It mainly seems to help their breathing,” Chrissie explained.
The Healing Hub was acquired by MS Therapy Centre Wick in 2020 after it negotiated an asset transfer with Highland Council. The inside was refurbished and a small parking area was added at the rear.
"There have been many highlights over the years but our proudest moment was when we got the building transferred and we got the funding from many sponsors to refurbish it from a cold, damp, miserable place to what it is now – warm, bright and welcoming," Chrissie said.
"We would love it to be used by other groups for meetings or courses."
Chrissie is keen to encourage new users who may benefit from oxygen therapy, while additional volunteers would be made welcome.
“We need to get people involved to use it and maybe to volunteer,” she said, adding: "I continue to really enjoy my time at the centre, meeting lots of people and making a difference to their health."
- Anyone wishing to find out more about the Healing Hub can text or call Jan Farrington on 07775 683300 or call Chrissie Gunn on 01955 606726. The centre’s phone number is 01955 604586.
