A successful year’s fund-raising saw the MS Society in the Isle of Man receive donations of over ?12,700 during 2012.
Funds were raised by Parish walkers, Peel dippers, marathon runners, cake makers, skydivers, donations in lieu of birthday and Christmas presents, and donations in memoriam as well as corporate support from dress-down days, dinners and similar events.
This has allowed the Society, which celebrates its 60th birthday this year, to both continue and expand its programme of support for those with MS – and their carers – through the Island.
As well as responding to requests for financial assistance to purchase specialist equipment, the Society runs two exercise classes at the NSC in Douglas, supervised by qualified trainers who have adapted their usual routines to enable people in wheelchairs or with other mobility problems to benefit from regular exercise. There is also a yoga class which can be enjoyed by those might not normally able to stand unaided, but who benefit from the stretching and posture exercises yoga provides.
Practical and emotional support is available from the Branch’s support officer Andrea Rycroft, who visits as many people as she can, as well as doing her own fundraising in this year’s Peel Dip.
MS Society member Cathy Poultney was one of those to benefit. “I’ve had MS for years, but recently I was finding it more and more difficult to have a bath or even step into the shower without my husband’s help as I was so worried about overbalancing,” said Cathy. “I’m so grateful to the MS Society for its assistance and a grant towards a new, level, wet room shower. I’m no longer worried about tripping, and my husband is delighted that he can now watch a football game on TV without having to listen out for a crash!’
As well as providing local support, the donations the Isle of Man branch has received in 2012 have meant they were able to make sizeable grants towards research into symptom relief and a possible cure for MS.
“2013 is a celebration of 60 years of the MS Society and I really hope there will be no need for us to celebrate our 75th birthday,” says Derek Patience, Chairman of MS Society Isle of Man. “Research into a possible cure for the condition continues apace, and the MS Society has high hopes for its ongoing programme of research. The generosity of everyone in the Isle of Man is well-known and this fantastic fundraising total just goes to prove how true that is.”
Anyone interested in how to join the Branch, how to raise funds on their behalf or the work of the MS Society can contact the local branch by phoning 07624 452207, emailing mssocietyiom@manx.net or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/MsSocietyIom.
Photo - Support Officer Andrea Rycroft after her successful 'dip' at Peel on 1 January 2013
