Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On the 29th September 2024 I will run 42km (26.2 miles) at the 50th BMW Berlin Marathon to raise money for the MS Trust UK. This will be my first Berlin marathon and my 6th marathon in my life!

Why the MS Trust, I was so overwhelmed with the way this small charity works, how it provides so much support to those with Multiple Sclerosis and their families. They do an incredible job and it's a pleasure to be raising money for them again. The charity receives no funding from the Government or NHS to support the 150,000 people with MS in the UK. They desperately need funding especially given the last few years. I ran for them in 2019 (my first marathon) and 2022 at the London Marathon, again. It was an incredible experience, to raise money, train, run and work with the MS Trust team.

MY STORY:My mother Suchita Patel, had MS and sadly passed away on the 28th September 1978 at the age of 42, after battling with MS for many years. I was 17 years old and my younger brother 13 years old. For most of those years, my mother would spend months in hospital (St Thomas’ London) away from her family, my dad, my younger brother and myself. We did not have the support of an organisation like the MS Trust, we had to pretty much fend for ourselves. This is why, the MS Trust is so important to many families in the UK. I know first hand, the support that families need and the education required to help those 150,000 people in the UK suffering with MS.

The generosity of, friends, family, small local businesses and complete strangers was amazing when I raised money for MS Trust in 2019 and 2022, I know that I can count on the same generosity this year.Just a few pounds makes an incredible difference, please dig deep and help me exceed my donation target.Thank you and I appreciate the time you have given to read my story. Lots of Love, Dip xxx 

What is Multiple Sclerosis:It is a neurological condition that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, also known as the central nervous system or CNS. 'Sclerosis' means scarring or hardening of tiny patches of tissue. 'Multiple' is added because this happens at more than one place in the brain and/or spinal cord. MS is a disease affecting the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) More than 150,000 people in the UK have MS.

MS is the most common condition of the central nervous system affecting young adults 

MS is a life long condition but it is not a terminal illnessIt is not infectious or contagious so it can’t be passed on through meeting someone with MS

Everyone's MS is different so no two people will have the same range and severity of symptoms, even if they are closely related

Who are the MS Trust:

The MS Trust is a charity which works to make a difference today for the more than 150,000 people living with MS in the UK. They produce practical, reliable information, online and in print, and offer a telephone and email enquiry service to anyone who needs to know more about MS.They fight to make sure everyone affected by MS can access good quality, specialist care. They offer a full range of support to both specialists and health professionals with an interest in MS, including online information, publications, newsletters and professional development. They work in partnership with health professionals to improve MS services now and in the future, and they fund MS specialist nurses in the areas of greatest need.

How MS Trust spend the money you donate:Up to £10

£6 funds one copy of an information book which can help a person with MS better understand their condition.

£8 the cost of sending Open Door (our quarterly MS newsletter) for a year to one person.

£10 - £50

£10 the cost to send our Kids' and Parents' Guides to MS to a family affected by MS.

£15 the cost to send our Making Sense of MS core information pack to someone recently diagnosed with MS to help them understand and come to terms with their diagnosis.

£15 funds one of our information specialists who provides essential support to a person with MS by telephone, email or via social media.

£50 - £100

£100 the cost of providing the Making Sense of MS booklet to everybody diagnosed with MS in one week.

£100 - £500

£238 per week to send our weekly comprehensive research update which provides an up-to-date review of developments in the world of MS research.

£250 per day for the MS Trust’s MS Nurse Specialist Advisor, who plays a crucial part in our campaign to improve the quality of services available to people with MS.

£411 the average cost of providing an MS nurse with the publications and factsheets they distribute to patients in one year.

£500 - £1,000

£751 for a health professional to attend our annual conference, which brings together over 300 multidisciplinary health and social care professionals who share a commitment to improve MS care.

£940 funds our personal enquiry service for one week.

£1,000+£1,765 to fund a newly-appointed MS specialist to attend our week-long foundation training in MS care.