25 JANUARY 2007 - RESEARCH into a rare bone condition is to be helped by residents' recycling in the Harrogate district.  Working with the Melorheostosis Association UK, Harrogate Borough Council's recycling team is to deliver 30,000 plastic freepost-recycling bags on the Association's behalf.

 

The two organisations are calling for people who have been getting a new mobile phone to send their old ones for recycling by the Association.  The envelopes are themselves recyclable and old printer cartridges can also be enclosed.

 

Councillor Richard Cooper, Cabinet Member for the Environment, is supporting this campaign.  He said:  "Anything we can do to avoid waste, which will also help a charitable cause raise much needed funds, is well worth promoting to our local community.  This very rare and debilitating disease first came to our notice in the Harrogate district through a local resident, Andrew Carnell, who suffers from it.  With only 300 cases so far identified, this painful and limiting disease affects both children and adults.  Andrew and his wife Adele are now a leading force in the charity and I hope that this recycling effort will help their research into finding its cause and relief for sufferers."

 

The recycling envelopes are being delivered to 30,000 homes in Harrogate and Ripon.  If residents don't have mobile phones or cartridges ready to be recycled they can keep the envelope for future use or pass it to a neighbour, friend or relative to use instead.  ENDS

 

 

FURTHER INFORMATION: is available from the Melorheostosis Association UK call Lorraine Firth on 01423 709993.  Councillor Richard Cooper is available for comment on 07957 844380.