Thrumster local named volunteer of the year
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Kirsteen Campbell set up a group to help women suffering with endometriosis.
After being named volunteer of the year at this year's Highland Heroes awards the 41-year-old said: “It feels absolutely amazing – I am walking on cloud nine right now.”
Ms Campbell, from Thrumster, was nominated set up a local Facebook group as part of a mission to break taboos and encourage more women to share their experiences of endometriosis instead of trying to cope with the painful condition alone.
The group was originally set up for those in Caithness and Sutherland but has now been extended across the Highlands to meet demand.
“When I first created the Facebook group, I thought it might attract around 25 members or so, but I was astonished when it quickly grew to 139 women within a year,” she said.
Ms Campbell, who has suffered from endometriosis for more than 20 years, added: “It can be such a lonely journey.
“We need to leave these stigmas behind and talk openly about menstruation, menopause, and everything in between.”
The campaigner's dedication to women’s health has also seen her land a new role as the Scottish development co-ordinator for charity Endometriosis UK.
This is a new chapter for her, but she says she still wants to keep campaigning and fighting for women’s health.
When up collecting her award, she certainly did just that, as she told the audience and live stream about a march planned for Thurso this weekend to further raise awareness of the condition.
And she has also been involved in organising The We WANT festival which takes place in Thurso next month in partnership with the Community Development Trust.
“It’s all things women’s health," she said.
