Joe Holyoak
Joe's London marathon page
Fundraising for Bedfordshire & Northamptonshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre
Story
This October, I'm going to be taking part in the London Marathon to fundraise for the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre.
It's estimated that around 110,000 people are living with MS in the UK, with 5,200 new cases diagnosed each year. MS is also one of the most common causes of disability in younger adults, with symptoms including numbness in the body, impaired mobility and vision.
After being diagnosed in her twenties, my Grandma Wendy has lived with progressive MS for over 40 years and the MS centre has provided her with invaluable resources to help manage her symptoms. They have also been a huge support to my Grandad, her main carer for many years.
The MS Therapy Centre Beds & Northants provides therapies and support needed to enable people living with Multiple Sclerosis to self-manage their condition. There is also MS Specialist Nurse and a gym where members can improve their fitness.
The annual cost of running the Centre is approximately £400k.
Fundraising has been incredibly difficult during the pandemic as The MS Centre does not receive any government or statutory funding. It's been a challenging time for the charity as their members are vulnerable and immuno-compromised however despite this, The MS Centre has adapted and stayed open throughout to continue providing services to its members.
Inspired by my family's fundraising for the centre over the years from sponsored swims to the Snowdon Wheelchair Challenge, I've decided it's my turn to fundraise in gratitude for the amazing support they've shown my family.