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Also Sponsor me by texing "GEMS88" and the amount you wish to sponsor me for (EG 'GEMS88 £1') to 70070.

What are we doing?

I have deiced to raise money for the MS soiciety, this is a cause very close to my heart. Me, my boyfriend and my dad will be walking the the Leeds to Skipton canal walk which is 29 miles long on the 20th of August 2011.

Want us to dress up/dye hair/paint our faces or something different? Then suggest it to us :) 

 

Why?

 On the 2nd of June 2011 my mum died due to complications of MS aged 54 years.

Over 13 years ago my Mum was diagnosed with MS, I was about 9. I remember my mum how she used to be before MS and wish that I could have that person back.

She didn't cope well with her MS and had serve depression; she described it in earlier stages to be "A fuzzy head" and "confusing" she didn't understand fully what was happening to her. In later stages she said that she "Hated MS because it was taking away everything she enjoyed from her".

She hoped she wouldn't have to spend her life in a wheelchair and that she'd be able to drive still...6 years after this she was unable to do anything for herself anymore her vision went, movement and speech among other things, my dad was her carer and did everything for her. 

 

She wanted to be free from MS & in the end she got her wish, but not in the way that we hoped. We all miss her so much and wonder why this had to happen to her. 

 

I hope that someday this horrible disease will be cured so people can be free of MS, so that no one has to suffer from something that can tear their life to bits like it did my mums. I believe one day this will happen, but it can only happen if people like you keep this dream alive by donating however small, it all adds up.

 

What is MS? 

MS is a condition that affects your nerves. Nerves are made up of many fibres. Thousands of nerve fibres transmit tiny electrical impulses (messages) between your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body, for example to your muscles, skin or organs (such as your heart and lungs).

Your nerves are like tiny wires and are protected by a sheath made of a substance called myelin. This makes sure the messages are transmitted correctly from your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. Myelin is the white matter in your brain.

MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease. This means that your body's immune system, which usually just attacks harmful things like bacteria and viruses, attacks and damages your own healthy body tissue causing inflammation.

If you have MS, your immune system damages the myelin sheaths around the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. These become scarred and hardened (sclerosis means hardening). This scarring prevents the affected nerves from sending signals properly.

More about MS #mce_temp_url#

Who are the MS Society?

The MS Society is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to beating multiple sclerosis; providing vital support, information and services to those affected and investing in world class research to find the cause and cure for this devastating neurological condition. With your help we can beat MS.

#mce_temp_url#

What is "JustGiving"?

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.