A SUPPORT group meeting in Farnham for individuals or families affected by severe allergies, or anaphylaxis, will be taking place this Sunday (May 7).

Run by Farnham resident Gillian Bushell, the support group is run in conjunction with the Anaphylaxis Campaign, the only UK-wide charity to support people with severe, life threatening allergies.

The Sunday meeting will take place from 7.45pm to 9.15pm at St Martin’s Hall, off Dene Lane in Lower Bourne, Farnham.

Food allergies are thought to affect around five to eight per cent of children and two to four per cent of adults.

NHS hospitals in England dealt with more than 20,000 admissions for allergies in the 12 months between February 2013 and February 2014, and every year around 20 people will die from anaphylaxis.

Patrick Yong, consultant immunologist at Frimley Health, Royal Surrey and St Peter’s Hospital, will be in attendance and happy to answer questions.

Anaphylaxis Campaign CEO Lynne Regent said: “It’s brilliant that Gillian runs a support group for us in Farnham.

“Many people in the general population do not understand just how serious allergy and anaphylaxis can be.

“Our support groups, like the one Gillian is running, provide a vital touch point for affected families and individuals and are a really positive way for them to support each other.”

For more details visit www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/product/support-group-farnham/, or email at Gillian at gillian

[email protected]. Readers can also follow ‘Anaphylaxis Campaign’ on Facebook and on Twitter @anaphylaxiscoms for more details about support groups.