296 May 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

www.advertizer.co.uk
Next deadline - Friday 17th May
Erskine at Ideal Home
Show Scotland
Erskine are once again
looking for Volunteers to
Assist at this year’s Ideal Home Show.
The event runs from 24th to 27th May 2019,
and Erskine needs your help raise vital funds
for Scotland’s ex-servicemen and women. We
are looking for volunteers to help with bucket
collections, setting up and running the Erskine
stand during the four days of the show.
Would you be able to help us for 2 hours between
10am and 6pm? You are welcome to do more than
one shift if you wish! In return for you giving up
your time you will receive free access to the Show.
Please contact info@engagerenfrewshire.com or
events@erskine.org.uk to apply, or call 0141 814
4555.
Accord Procession Virtual Balloon Race
The fundraising team at ACCORD Hospice are delighted to introduce their fi rst every Virtual Balloon
Race at a cost of £3 per balloon and a winning prize of £500! Visit www/rabr.co/accord and once you
have created a login, you can design your own balloon, decide on how thick it should be, how much
aluminium it should have and you can return back to your account and change elements of your
balloon as often as you like, up to the race launch date at 12 noon on Saturday 8th June 2019.
Once the balloons are ‘launched’ they will then be subject to a simulated set of weather conditions
that are based on the prevailing wind and weather conditions at the actual launch site for the time
of year. From that point onwards, the fate of your balloon is controlled by how it will react to the
weather conditions it is subjected to. This
is simulated using an advanced computer
modelling programme linked to Google
maps and weather data.
At exactly 12 noon on Saturday 15th June
2019 the race will be closed – and the
balloon that has travelled the furthest
from the start point in a straight line is the
winner! The winner will be contacted that they
have won the race.
To Buy a Balloon visit www.rabr.co/accord
Is hay fever affecting your eyes?
6
by Kerry Taher, New Vision Opticians
For many of us the summer also means the start of seasonal suffering which is hay fever. If the
eyes are involved it’s called seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, with symptoms varying from mild
irritation to severely itchy, swollen, red, gritty and watery eyes, although vision thankfully tends
to be unaffected.
If you suffer, there are various ways to relieve your symptoms. Firstly, try not to rub your eyes
because this will make things worse. Cold compresses are nice and soothing. Ocular lubricants
fl ush out and dilute the allergens (eg pollen) – these are surprisingly effective and can be
used as often as necessary. If you wear contact lenses, using daily disposables will be more
comfortable. Other tips include wearing close-fi tting wraparound sunglasses, and keeping car
windows closed.
Oral antihistamines don’t fully reach the eye so something more direct is often needed to
provide more relief. Over-the-counter anti-allergy eye drops (mast cell stabilizers) are very good
but can take 2-4 weeks to start working effectively. Annual hay fever sufferers often start using
these preseason to prevent symptoms occurring. For instant relief, a decongestant combined
with an antihistamine can be used but only for a short time as prolonged use can cause more
symptoms.
Drops containing both antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers will provide instant and
prolonged relief, but a GP prescription is required. However, before rushing to see your GP, you
should have an eye exam to confi rm the diagnosis. If any prescription drops are required, we
can contact your GP to request them.
With all that said, most of the hay fever sufferers still wouldn’t wish away any of the rare good
weather!