Fundraising Special

]#

Events for 2014

18 hole Texas Scramble Competition

£200 per team of 4

Introducing Angela, our Community Fundraiser

The MS Support Centre is delighted to welcome our new Community Fundraiser,

Angela Carrigan, whose post is being funded by the Rank Foundation through it's "Time

to Shine' internship programme.

The Centre’s membership is growing and it is now serving members with a variety of

neurological conditions. We have big ambitions for the future to enable us to

proactively grow to meet future demands.

Angela started in the position in January and has recently completed a degree in Events

Management at Chester University. She has a great passion for working for charities

and brings with her enthusiasm and ideas by the bucketful. This newsletter provides

details on a number of ways where you can become involved in raising money for the

Centre, but if you have ideas of your own Angela would love to hear from you. You can

contact her on 01244 678619 or e-mail angela.mssc@btinternet.com

Fashion Show & Supper

Fashion Show & Supper

Thursday 27 March 2014

Ticket

£25

The White Horse, Gastro Pub, Chester Racecourse, 7.30pm

Tickets available from the MS

Support Centre (01244 678619,

claire1.mssc@btinternet.com)

and the Laundry Boutique,

Bridge Street, Chester

from January 2014.

Includes:

1 glass of fizz

2 course supper

10% off voucher for the Laundry Boutique

Goody Bag

Bell Meadow

Charity Golf

Day

22nd May 2014

Join us for our 5th Annual Charity Golf

Day at Helsby Golf Club

Includes:

Coffee & Sandwiches

on arrival

Competition entry

Three course dinner

Find out more & book:

Stuart Cranfield

scranfield@bellmeadow.com

01625 869198 or

MS Support Centre

angela.mssc@btinternet.com

01244678619

Make 2014 your year to make a difference!

Join a challenge and raise money for the MS Support Centre.

Running Opportunities in the Area

If you are a keen runner or you fancy having something to train for, some of these suggestions may be for you whether it’s your first race or you are a keen competitor:

Chester Half Marathon - Sunday 18th May Entries for this one are £30 before the end of the month and £32 from April 1st. Visit www.activeleisureevents.co.uk/half-marathon.aspx for more details.

Sport in the Port 10K Sunday 15th June Starting and finishing on Civic Way in Ellesmere Port, there are options to run 10K or 5K. For details see www.activeleisureevents.co.uk/sport-in-the-port.aspx

MBNA Chester Marathon – Sunday 5th October Entries for this one are £46 until September and then will go up to £49. Details here www.activeleisureevents.co.uk/full-marathon.aspx

Local Walking Opportunities

Sport in the Port 1 mile - Saturday 15th June Starting at Civic Way and ending at Whitby Park this walk is suitable for all ages and pushchairs. A day for all the family to take part! For details see: www.activeleisureevents.co.uk/sport-in-the-port.aspx

Chester Business Walk - Sunday 7th September Our members and volunteers are regulars at this annual 6 mile event, which includes a bacon butty stop and a G&T to finish! The Centre will pay your registration fee of £10 leaving you free to concentrate on sponsorship. (All Walkers raising over £100 will be entered into a Prize Draw). Contact Angela if you are interested in joining the team on 01244 678619.

Zip-Wire Challenge – Saturday 31st May

MS Support Centre member, Annette Lawrence, has started the year by

encouraging her fellow members to join her in a challenge which will see her

face her greatest fears – all to raise money for the Centre they rely on.

Annette and her comrades are being sponsored to do the longest Zip Wire in

Europe to raise funds for what has become one of the most popular pieces of

equipment in the Centre’s gym. The Thera-trainer exercise bike is designed

for wheelchair users and helps to promote fitness and mobility. Its biggest

appeal is that most people can use it regardless of the severity of their

mobility problems or lack of muscle strength. It also incorporates a bio-

feedback system giving the user clear visual displays of how well they are

performing and which limb is working the hardest. The money raised would

enable the Centre to purchase a second exercise bike which would be of

great benefit to its members.

“The Thera-trainer is something that wheel-chair bound members like myself

can use” explained Annette. “It is really popular and there is often a queue to

use it, so having a second one would mean that more of us would get the

opportunity to have a go. It is of great benefit to us all as exercise really

makes a difference to how we are able to manage our conditions – making

life bearable.”

MS Support Centre member, Annette

Lawrence, with Support Worker, Sian

Evans and Fitness Instructor, Dorian

Brightmore, with the current exercise bike.

“Under the supervision of our qualified Fitness Instructor, members challenge themselves, and each other, to go further,

faster and for longer in order to reach the targets they have set themselves, and to achieve higher levels of fitness and

mobility” explained Centre Manager Jane Johnston-Cree. “The exercise bike is one of the most fun and popular pieces of

equipment in our gym, so to be able to buy a second one would be a delight to our members. If the team are successful in

their ambitious target we may also be able to afford a specially designed chair to accompany the bike which aids members

using the equipment and improves the gym experience for all.”

To sponsor Annette and her team visit https://mydonate.bt.com/events/zipline10/110995 or if you are interested in

taking part and raising money yourself for the Centre call 01244 678619 or e-mail angela.mssc@btinternet.com

Fancy something different?

The MS Support Centre has teamed up with Global Adventures to offer some unique

fundraising experiences!

Global Adventures have over 10 years’

experience of helping people to take on

amazing challenges whilst raising

money for their favourite charity.

Perhaps a motor cycle challenge in

India appeals or you’ve always wanted

to walk the Inca Trail. Or maybe you’d

like to cycle around Europe visiting the capital cities of London, Amsterdam and Brussels. There are a whole host of

international challenges awaiting you with Global Adventures.

Or perhaps you’d rather a UK based challenge – there are trekking and cycling challenges across Britain including climbing Ben

Nevis or doing a coast to coast cycle ride. To find out more visit www.globaladventurechallenges.com and click on either UK

or International Challenges and then Open Challenges, so that you are able to choose to support the MS Support Centre,

www.globaladventurechallenges.com/choose-charity/ms-support-centre/

Dodgeball Tournament

The Centre’s first Dodgeball Tournament took place last month (Sunday 23rd February). The Dodgeball Tournament was held at Airbus Sports Hall and ten teams of six took part.

Angela had previously organised a Dodgeball Tournament when she was on her events management degree. It is a competitive elimination game which involves

two teams throwing soft balls at each other while avoiding being hit themselves.

If you would be interested in taking part in a future Dodgeball Tournament to raise money for the Centre, let us know.

Looking for a Swimming Challenge?

Dive in and join us with our sponsored swim. Staff,

volunteers and friends of the Centre are taking part in a

21 mile swim in order to swim the equivalent of the

English Channel.

It is taking place at the King’s School in Chester on

Sunday 6th April.

If you would like to take part contact Angela on 01244

678619 or e-mail angela.mssc@btinternet.com

Challenges not for the faint hearted!

Tough Mudder, Cholmondeley Castle- 13th & 14th

September Sprawled out over acres of rigorous terrain

peppered with obstacles designed by the UK’s very own

Special Forces, this is a true test of endurance (entries are

priced at- Saturday - £79 Sunday - £69). Find out more here

www.toughmudder.co.uk/events/2014-north-west-uk

Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon – Sunday 29th June All races start by launching into an open water swim in the Deer Park Mere Lake, transitioning into the technical cycle circumnavigating Bickerton Hill. The run passes through the stunning estate grounds. Prices vary depending on the competition that you choose to enter and range from £30 for 8-10 years, to £160 for Adults undertaking the most difficult race. For details see www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk/cholmondeley-castle-race/

Don't forget to nominate the MS

Support Centre as your chosen charity

when you choose your challenge.

MS National Challenge

Saturday 28 June 2014

Each year a fundraising event takes place in the

Brecon Beacons where teams accept the challenge

to carry a person with MS around a demanding

course in a wheelchair.

Teams need to consist of a minimum of 10 people

and a maximum of 12 people, plus their MS

passenger. Entry fee is £150. The object of the

Challenge is for a team to complete an orienteering

type course, of approximately 10 Miles on Forestry

Commission land in the Brecon Beacons. Each team

carries a person with MS in a wheelchair. This gives

the person with MS the chance to enjoy the sort of

fun which is not normally available to them and at

the same time help raise much needed funds for

their Therapy Centre.

If you would like to book your team in for this

challenge contact Angela on 01244 678619.

News about the MS Support

Challenge

All teams had an enjoyable but challenging time at Capel Curig again in the summer of 2013 whilst raising important funds for the Centre. The team members battled their way through forests, bogs and hills to give their passenger the experience of a lifetime. Unfortunately it has been decided that last year is to be the final time that we are able to run the challenge event at Capel Curig, the location is now unsuitable to use due to further work being undertaken by the Forestry Commission at this site. Teams wishing to take part in a similar challenge are able to join us for the MS National event at the Brecon Beacons, ask Angela for details if you are interested. Plans are underway to organise the challenge event again in the local region, if you have any ideas for suitable sites or have contacts who may be able to help us plan a course and oversee the supervising of the route, please get in touch with Angela on 01244 678619 or e-mail angela.mssc@btinternet.com

Isle of Man Parish Walk

Kieran Richards, a friend of the Centre, is

taking part in the 85 mile walk around the Isle

of Man on the 21st June in aid of MS Support

Centre. To complete the challenge, which

consists of walking around each of the 17

parishes situated on the Isle of Man, he will

have to finish the walk within 24 hours!

To sponsor him visit his My Donate page at

https://mydonate.bt.com/events/parishwalk

Three Peaks challenge

Why not challenge yourself to climb the Yorkshire 3 peaks to raise

money for the Centre?

Organised challenges are held on 19th April, 26th July, 6th September

and 11th October. You'll need to stay locally the night before as they

start at 7am, and you'll also need to bring food for the day. The

organisers provide water top-ups at the two meeting points during

the walk, and include refreshments at the second meeting point.

The challenge starts in Chapel le Dale, Yorkshire, in order to avoid

the many others who start in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

Entry is £70 per person, find out more at

www.thethreepeakschallenge.co.uk/yorkshire-three-peaks-

challenge/

Our Centre members really appreciate the efforts

of our fundraisers – keep up the good work!

Fundraising highlights from 2013

Car Charity Challenge

MS Support Centre member, Les Durrant accompanied by his wife, Therese, embarked on a European adventure in August and raised over £10,000 for Parkinson’s UK and the MS Support Centre.

The couple travelled in their 1974 Ford Escort Mark 1 across Europe on a journey which was over 4000 miles on minor roads, with an average mileage of 250 miles a day. The 14 countries visited in 15 days were Wales, England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, and Monaco.

The couple started their trip from the Centre in Saltney on Friday 2nd August, when members and staff, their family and friends and members of the North Wales Classic Car Club gathered to wave them off.

“Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009, our lives have changed considerably” explained Les Durrant. “Amongst the changes we needed to make to our lives was to our holiday choice. In the past we have done European tours on our motorbikes, where we have visited many countries, on trips often covering around 3000 miles each, but this is now no longer possible. We bought the classic car to replace the bikes.”

“Everyone has been so generous, we’ve received donations from organisations as well as individuals and have managed to exceed our target” said Therese Durrant.

The couple have owned the car for nearly 4 years and went all the way to Ireland to secure the one that they wanted. “We have a real love of Ford cars and this model is the one that we owned when we first got married. We searched long and hard to find the right one and knew that this one was for us as soon as we saw it” said Les Durrant.

They are now busy planning their next adventure – there is talk of tackling America!

Keen cyclist, or just need a new

challenge?

Why not participate in a sponsored cycle in aid of the MS

Support Centre?

There are many cycle routes in and around Cheshire!

With many of the routes being traffic free and already

set out, you can choose a date and difficulty level which

is ideal for you!

Traffic free routes suggestions

Chester railway path 8 Miles

Canalside path 10 Miles

Middlewich Canal 3 Miles

Biddulph Valley Way 6 Miles

Find out more here: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport_and_roads/cycling/cycle_routes_in_cheshire_west/traffic_free_routes.aspx

General cycle routes- http://www.cycle-

route.com/routes/Cheshire-Routes-66.html

We hope that you have found something of interest you in this newsletter, so that you are

able to get involved in raising funds for the Centre. If you have any other ideas for

fundraising that you would like to talk through, Angela would be happy to speak to you.

Contact her on 01244 678619 or by e-mail at angela.mssc@btinternet.com

Fundraising highlights from 2013

Total raised through fundraising in 2013 was £48,000 – thank you!

Contact Us

01244 678619

Find Us on Facebook ms.support.centre and Twitter @mschester

Successful challenges

Lindsey, Sally and Kate (aka the Blister Sisters) raised the fabulous a amount of over £2000 for the Centre. They took part in the Thames Path Challenge in 2013 and completed it in a great time of 10 and three quarter hours.

Also Dave Lee from St. Helen’s, Merseyside travelled to the Cholmondeley Estate near Malpas, Cheshire to take part in the hardcore challenge Tough Mudder. Tough Mudder is a 12 mile obstacle course which has been designed by ex marines and involves completing a series of challenges which include mud, ice, fire, barbed wire, high walls and electric shocks. The course tests all around strength, stamina, determination, and camaraderie to the maximum.

Dave has raised nearly £600 for the Centre after choosing to raise money for us as the Centre helps his partner’s mother and he is aware of what challenges she and many others have to face on a daily basis having MS.

Auction Success

MS Support Centre Support Worker, Sian

Evans, is celebrating after an Auction of

Promises event that she organised to raise

funds for the Centre exceeded her

expectations.

Sian, from Llanarmon-yn-Ial, near Mold, who

was diagnosed with MS twenty years ago and

has been in remission for the last nine years,

was overwhelmed on the night when her

event raised over £6500 for the Centre. “It

was unbelievable” she said. “I’m so grateful

to everyone for the support I was given and

people were so generous in their bids.”

During 2013 we were also lucky to have two runners complete the London Marathon to raise money for the Centre. Sarah Guinan completed the run in 4 hours 8 minutes and Daniel completed it in 4 hours and 15 minutes.

We’d like to say well done and a huge thank you to all participants – all your efforts really do make all the difference to the work of the Centre.

Over 100 people attended the event which

took place at Ruthin Rugby Club in October

and 70 items were auctioned to raise funds

for the Centre.

“Organisations and individuals gave some

great items which helped to raise interest in

the auction and created some bidding wars

on the night.”

Signed football shirts, meals out, theatre

tickets and short hotel stays were all up for

grabs alongside smaller items such as

decorated cakes, baskets of local produce

and flower arrangements.

Even if people were unsuccessful in winning

an item, they were able to take part in

competitions and a raffle that were held on

the evening.