Supporting the MS Trust
Open Door - August 2012 pages 14-15
Many of our supporters choose to fundraise and make donations in memory of a loved one, to help others living with MS now. Elisa Halley and her family recently held a big fundraising event in loving memory of her brother Paul. She tells us below why they chose to remember him in this way.
Pauly P Day
Paul was only 19 when he was diagnosed with MS. He was such a happy boy who could only see the positive outcome in everything. He was doing so well in life, working at Newcastle Airport, had his own car and all the ladies loved him! He enjoyed playing golf and football.
We are such a close family, so when he was diagnosed we were totally devastated. Paul never saw MS as an illness - he just seemed to get on with it even though it stopped him doing what he enjoyed the most in life.
He would still go to the pub every week with his friends. We used to worry so much as he was in a wheelchair and couldn't even hold a drink! His friends were great, though always sending him home drunk! Others would come and take him shopping or just back to their houses.
We found a lot of useful advice and practical tips from the Open Door magazine, often reading that others were going through the same as us. Sadly Paul died on 15 May 2002, only four years after being diagnosed.
This year was his 10th anniversary so when we read that the MS Trust was holding a 'Be Bold in Blue' week, we knew we had to get involved. We decided to hold a family fun day at a local pub. We sent invitations out and could never have imagined the response we got back - within four weeks we had sold 250 tickets. All of Paul's friends and family thought it was such a fantastic idea to celebrate his life and raise lots of money.
We asked friends for unwanted gifts and these made fabulous tombola prizes. A local company let us contact all their customers and suppliers asking for raffle prizes. A magician came to keep the children happy, as well as a face painter and a mini disco team. We played heads and tails and tucked into bacon buns, sausage buns and home-made chunky chips!
The whole day was a complete success raising £4,200 for the MS Trust. We never thought we would be touched by MS but it's now a massive part of our lives. Even though Paul is not here we will do our best to make sure his name and smile shines on.
Helping others with MS
Elisa and her family found that the information they received from the MS Trust when Paul was diagnosed was a big help for them all in coming to terms with MS. They wanted to fundraise so that others could have the same support. The money raised through Pauly P Day is enough to send a copy of Open Door to over 3,300 people, providing vital information to other families affected by MS. We would like to say a big thank you to them for their hard work and for the money they have raised
Volunteers needed this Christmas
Last year the MS Trust sold more than 31,200 packs of Christmas cards - this means that well over 300,000 people will have received our cards, helping to raise awareness of MS. This year, we would like to sell even more, but we need your help to do it. You can get involved by volunteering at your local Cards for Good Causes Christmas Shop; selling MS Trust Christmas cards at your office, a Christmas fair or coffee morning; or simply by handing out our Christmas card brochure to your friends and family. Christmas cards help to raise a significant proportion of the funds we need each year to keep our enquiry service running, so if you can spare some time, please do. We urgently require volunteers in specific areas, so if you think you can help, please contact Claire on 01462 476707.
Join in the fun of the Santa Run!
The Santa Run is the perfect event for all families: open to runners of all ages from eight upwards and with a 5K or 10K course which is suitable for wheelchair users. All entrants get a free Santa suit so you can join around 2,000 others in Greenwich Park on 9 December 2012 and be Santa for a day. For more information visit: www.mstrust.org.uk/santarun
Your lasting legacy
The MS Trust believes that everyone living with MS should have access to trusted information and to specialist MS services that provide the highest standard of care. You can help us to secure this for future generations.
17-23 September is Remember a Charity Week. If you are interested in learning more about leaving a gift in your will to the MS Trust, contact us on 01462 476707 or download an information pack
Together we can make a difference for people living with MS, now and in the future
.Overseas events for 2013
We are looking for supporters to take part in a new cycle challenge in 2013, the 3 Cities cycle ride. Plus we're now booking for a Great Wall of China trek next autumn. Sign up now to give yourself plenty of time to fundraise.
3 Cities (London-Amsterdam-Brussels): 29 May - 2 June 2013
£99 registration fee + £1,500 minimum sponsorship
China Trek: 5 - 14 September 2013
£349 registration fee + £3,200 minimum sponsorship
For further information on all our overseas events. You can also help us by displaying the enclosed posters somewhere prominent.
Our work could not continue without the dedication and support of our fundraisers, donors and volunteers. If you would like to get involved with any of our activities, please contact us on 01462 476707 or email fundraising@mstrust.org.uk
Join the Open Door mailing list to receive your own copy through the post (UK addresses only) or by email.
Disclaimer
Open Door articles are reproduced as published. They are not updated to take account of subsequent developments. Use appropriate caution in acting on the information in any article.