Our story


In 1993, Chris Jones, who lives with MS and her good friend Jill Holt, whose mum and aunt both had MS, decided enough was enough.

They founded a small charitable trust - initially raising money through the sale of Christmas cards, to provide information, support and, perhaps most importantly, hope, to people with multiple sclerosis.

That charity was the MS Trust.

Over 30 years later, it's a very different landscape, but our promise remains the same. We will always put people with MS at the heart of everything we do.

MS Trust timeline

1993

The MS Trust is founded.

1993

The MS Trust, originally the MS Research Trust, is founded by Chris Jones and Jill Holt.

1995

Our first publication is sent out.

1995

Our first publication, The MS Information Pack, is sent out to every neurologist in the country.

1997

We hold our first MS Trust Conference.

1997

We hold our first MS Trust Conference for health professionals working in MS.

1998

The MS Trust helpline is launched.

1998

We launch the MS Trust Enquiry Service, a helpline supporting thousands of people each year.

2000

We run the first foundation training course for MS nurses.

2000

We run the first foundation training course for MS nurses wanting to improve their knowledge.

2002

We help set up the MS Risk-sharing Scheme.

2002

We help set up the MS Risk-sharing Scheme, which enabled people with MS to access disease modifying drugs on the NHS.

2006

We conduct the first audit into the state of MS services in the UK.

2006

Working with the Royal College of Physicians, we conduct the first audit into the state of MS services in the UK.

2007

Move it for MS with Mr Motivator is launched.

2007

Move it for MS DVD with Mr Motivator is launched, this continues to be popular today.

2008

Our Sex and MS: a women’s guide, wins a BMA Patient Information Award.

2008

Our Sex and MS: a women’s guide, wins a BMA Patient Information Award.

2012

The GEMSS project begins.

2012

The GEMSS project, which generates evidence for the value of MS specialist nurses begins.

2015

We take over the MS Decisions disease modifying drugs comparison tool and rebuild it.

2015

We take over the MS Decisions tool from the National Hospital and rebuild it, making it easier for people to understand the options they have in disease modifying drugs for MS.

2017

We appoint the first MS Trust-funded specialist nurse.

2017

We appoint the first MS Trust-funded specialist nurse.

2018

We appoint the first Advanced MS Champion.

2018

We appoint the first Advanced MS Champion.

2020

The Covid-19 pandemic hits.

2020

The Covid-19 pandemic hits the UK. Working remotely, we keep our helpline open, to provide essential information for people living with MS during this time of uncertainty. 

2021

Our nurse mapping survey shows large shortages of MS healthcare professionals in the UK.

2021

Our nurse mapping survey shows there are still large shortages of MS healthcare professionals in the UK. 

2022

Our Advanced MS Champion project show savings to the NHS of over £465,000 annually per site.

2022

Results from our Advanced MS Champion project show savings to the NHS of over £465,000 annually per site. 

2023

The MS Trust turns 30!

2023

The MS Trust turns 30! An ongoing schedule of new publications and a second wave of Advanced MS Champions is planned for this year.

We couldn't do it without you

We receive no funding from the Government or the NHS. It's wholly due to the generosity of people like you supporting the Trust that we can continue our mission to ensure nobody has to manage MS alone.