Cake sale at bank’s Horsham branch for arthritis charity

Rheumatoid arthritis affects one per cent of the population - around 600 people in the Horsham area alone.

To mark Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week, the bank has agreed to host cake sales at various branches and match any funds raised pound for pound.

Bryony Mitchell, who works at the Carfax branch and lives in Pulborough, has the condition. She said: “I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis five years ago and the information that NRAS provided me and my family was an incredible support. I am grateful to Barclays for helping me raise money and awareness of this debilitating disease.”

Carole Beaman, Sussex Market Leader for Barclays Banks added: “Barclays is always keen to support our communities in as many ways as possible and I’m proud of my team for joining ranks during the awareness week to support Bryony and other staff and customers who suffer from RA.

“As well as the bake sale we are doing a sponsored RAmble on Wednesday June 18 and are gathering as much sponsorship as we can, hoping to raise awareness and funds towards this very worthwhile cause.”

The aim is not just to raise money for NRAS but also to raise awareness of the charity and a condition that about 690,000 people across the UK live with. RA is an often misunderstood disease, confused with osteoarthritis which is commonly a wear and tear disease generally affecting the older population. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect people of any age. Around three quarters of people are first diagnosed when of working age and women are three times as likely as men to have the disease.