Behçet’s UK Members Award 2022

Posthumously awarded to Annette Robinson

The award presentation was delivered by Behçet’s UK Chair, Tony Thornburn, at the 2022 Conference & AGM held at the Holiday Inn Stevenage on Saturday 15 October 2022.

The award was accepted by Annette’s husband, Brian Robinson

As many of you will know, Annette Robinson, a long-standing member of Behçet’s UK, sadly died, unexpectedly, on 22 April this year. In accordance with her wishes, her funeral was a private ceremony. Whilst it was a little time before Behçet’s UK was formally notified, what soon became apparent was the spread and depth of feeling held by many whose lives were touched by Annette.

I thought I could not do better than reflect some of the descriptors that have been expressed to describe what Annette Robinson meant to so many people – and we’re talking for example of over 400 in a Facegroup site, which Annette was responsible for setting up circa 2011. This was a private, restricted space where personal information could be shared on a one-to-one basis (a somewhat new innovation at the time). Moreover, Annette ran the (then) Behçet’s Syndrome Society London Support Group, whilst also supporting the East Anglian Support Group. In addition, Annette was a founding trustee of KLS (Kleine-Levin Syndrome) Support UK, in 2011.

Here are a few of those descriptors; kind, funny, highly creative, multi-talented, could talk to anyone, reassuring, supportive, genuinely cared for others, wonderful support, a listening ear, fiercely loyal particularly when help was needed. Annette did indeed improve the quality of life, independence and dignity of many with Behçet’s; and indeed many others.

So on behalf of Behçet’s UK Members, I am honoured to present this award posthumously to Annette, on its inaugural occasion, which will be kindly accepted by her husband Brian Robinson.

KLS is a rare disorder characterised by recurrent bouts of excessive sleep associated with reduced understanding of the world and altered behaviour.