As founder, I’ve been reflecting on how far this page has come — the growth we’ve seen, the people we’ve been able to help, and the incredible team that stands behind Fightback every single day.

Our whole team gives their time, emotions, and compassion selflessly. They listen to people’s pleas, shoulder the weight of their struggles, and help them find hope in situations that often feel hopeless. Along the way, we’ve had challenges and even the odd person who wasn’t truly with us for the right reasons — but time always reveals character. What remains is a strong, loyal, and dedicated team that I trust implicitly.

The work is hard. The days (and nights) are long. We face heartbreaking stories through appeals, phone calls, and office visits, and sometimes we’re left close to tears ourselves. But the knowledge that we’ve made someone’s life a little easier, given them justice, or helped them breathe again after weeks of despair makes every sacrifice worth it.

We rarely take breaks when we should, because there’s always another call, another walk-in, another desperate plea for help. Calm mornings can quickly become frantic when a new claimant turns up with a carrier bag of jumbled papers and a looming deadline. And yet — none of us would change it for the world.

Over the last 12 years, we’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard the words: “You saved my life.” We’ve received heartfelt cards, emails, and even thoughtful gifts from people whose gratitude runs deeper than words. Those moments are priceless.

I’m often praised as the founder of Fightback, but the real credit belongs to this cracking team — the “FB4J ninjas” — who have stood firm, even in the face of negativity or spite and worked through birthdays, family tragedy and illness themselves. They rally together like a family, protecting one another and the people we serve. Some are related by blood, others by friendship, but all are bound by the same mission: to help others with compassion, strength, and dignity.

This is more than a job or a volunteer role. At Fightback, we share in people’s pain, their relief, and their victories. We cry with them, fight for them, and rejoice when their benefit is awarded after long battles. Reading your feedback, hearing your stories, and knowing we’ve made a difference fuels us to keep going.

Fightback will always be here — helping hundreds every week, while also striving for a better welfare system and broader support for disabled people. And it’s thanks to this amazing team, behind the scenes and in the office, that we can carry on this journey. You’ve all earned your angel wings.

With love and pride,

Michelle Cardno

Founder, Fightback