FIBROMYALGIA sufferer Lesley Tapp is the Wiltshire Times’ Community Hero this month, thanks to her work setting up a Trowbridge-based support group for those who share her condition.

Mrs Tapp, 51, of Soprano Way, Trowbridge, was diagnosed three years ago with the illness which causes chronic pain, fatigue, forgetfulness and sleep deprivation.

Last year, she put an appeal in the Times to set up a group for others with the condition, launching Trowbridge Fibro in January this year. The group now has 80 members.

Mrs Tapp said: “I cried when I found out I’d won the award as I was so touched that someone would go out of their way and do that for me.”

Trowbridge Fibro meet at the town’s Civic Centre at 11am every second Monday of the month and at 7.30pm every third Monday of the month.
On Saturday, its members also went on a trip to Weymouth.

Mrs Tapp said: “Many sufferers feel like they are going mad before they are diagnosed – and many go undiagnosed for years.

“It is not a very well-known condition, so not everybody understands it, but we come together and talk about it as we all understand what we are going through.”

For more information about the group, text either 07914 376238 or 07906 303203, or email trowbridgefibrogroup@ hotmail.co.uk