REPORT on the BRITISH PIGEON FANCIERS MEDICAL RESEARCH TEAM at the BHW SHOW OF THE YEAR - BLACKPOOL 2009

The Team
The Team in attendance were Medical Director Dr Gavin Boyd, Dr Stephen Bourke Consultant Physician Newcastle Victoria Infirmary , Dr Ken Anderson Consultant Physician Crosshouse Hospital Kilmarnock, Dr Charles McSharry Consultant Immunologist Biomedical Research Centre Glasgow University, Dr PP Lynch Larbert , Ken Ruddock Medical student Glasgow University and from Crosshouse Hospital - Viki Morrison specialist Respiratory nurse, Alaister Hood Bsc scientist, Dr Katrina Weir, Dr Clair Rooney and Dr Ullah Shetty. The team of Ken Boyd Research Coordinator, Mrs Mary Boyd and Alan Boyd administered the collection and recording of the Research data.

The Weekend
332 fanciers and some members of their families went through the research process with initial filling out of the questionnaire form, measurements of their height and weight, followed by breathing tests and blood samples. Many queries were answered and much counselling given on Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis ( pigeon lung ) The younger doctors in the Team were very impressed by the friendly, enthusiastic and cooperative attitude of the large number of fanciers attending - reflecting the unique, enduring and genuine sense of ownership by the Fancy of the Research from the onset that continues to this day. Dr McSharry was able to immediately process 100 fresh samples of blood from fanciers for types of cells found in the blood in Pigeon Fanciers Lung - important markers , which are known to deteriorate and disappear quickly. The laboratory team and the Research coordinator are on target and hope to get the blood results out to fanciers before the end of February - bear with us. Any fancier who requires his blood result urgently before then can phone our laboratory Research Scientist Iona Donnely at the Biomedical Research Centre Glasgow University tel. 0141 330 1878 for help. This is the same number fanciers can phone to get a special container to send us a blood sample for testing for pigeon reaction/pigeon lung- more details are now on our website here

We met with Brian Mead and some of the members of the Show Committee. Their expertise in running the Show is well renowned. We are indebted to them for their enthusiasm , efficiency and support. The new General Manager David Bills seems to have hit the ground running. The transfer of the arrangements and organising of the various events with the Show Committee from his predecessor Peter Bryant appeared seamless. We were pleased to have a chat with David at the Research stand in his new role as General Manager of the RPRA. We look forward to cooperating and working with him in the future to promote the good health of pigeon fanciers throughout the UK.
We were delighted to meet old friends at the stand. It was good to see Alex Lothian our former Trustee is making a good recovery from his stroke with the help of his fancier friends , also Ian Lind who is still to the fore from a past illness.

Donations
We were extremely grateful and honoured to receive a cheque for £25,000 from the RPRA BHW Show of The Year Committee to continue the Research on pigeon lung and to witness the wonderful financial support they also give to non pigeon related charities and causes – a credit to the Fancy in general and the RPRA BHW Show of The Year in particular. Their donation continues to be our financial lifeline and ensures the ongoing research of remedies for pigeon lung, the continued free medical advice and support the Research Team is able to give to fanciers throughout the year and from January 2009 this year the start up of the Specialist Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis [ Pigeon Lung] Clinic. This Clinic is being run by our longstanding Team member and Consultant physician Dr Ken Anderson at Crosshouse NHS Hospital Kilmarnock one day per week and includes UK fanciers . It replaces a much needed Clinical facility provided in the past by our Medical Director Dr Gavin Boyd before his retirement from the NHS.

We were also delighted to receive a cheque from the North East Homing Union for £1,900. This was presented to us at the Show by Secy. David Power, President Tom Dawson and the accountant and some of the NEHU Committee members. Donations via the donations box amounted to £379 Many thanks to all involved.

Thank you for your support!
On behalf of the Research Team and Trustees of the British Pigeon Fanciers Medical Research Trust I would like to thank the RPRA BHW Show of The Year and all British pigeon fanciers for their financial support, cooperation and enthusiasm for the Research. We wish all of you good health and every success in 2009.

Yours Sincerely,
Dr PP Lynch Chairperson BPFMRT