Berkshire MS Therapy Centre

THE Berkshire MS Therapy Centre held a special party to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

The charity, which is based in Reading, was launched in 1984 and is still going strong.

It provides specialised therapies and a social space for people with MS across Berkshire and parts of Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey and Buckinghamshire. MS is a neurological condition for which there is no cure but the therapies offered at the centre make a huge difference to quality of life.

More than 50 people attended the centre’s annual meeting and anniversary party on June 20 and were joined by Alexander Barfield, the High Sheriff of Berkshire, who cut the special cake alongside chairman of trustees Neil Dawkins.

After hearing about the centre’s achievements and plans, guests enjoyed party food, lively chat and a piece of cake.

Centre manager Pippa Vincent-Cooke said: “It was fantastic to see so many people coming together to celebrate the centre’s 40th anniversary.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us for the past 40 years, helping us to support so many people with MS and their families.

“The centre receives no NHS funding so we rely on fundraising to carry out our vital work and we would appreciate your continued support so we can still be here in another 40 years’ time for anyone who needs us.”

The centre provides physiotherapy, exercise classes, oxygen therapy, counselling, footcare and complementary therapies. The charity has a strong ethos of self-help, knowing that with the right support, people with MS can have a greater quality of life.

MS is an unpredictable neurological condition without a cure. It is estimated there are 1,000 people with an MS diagnosis in the local area and more than 150,000 across the UK.

It is the most common cause of disability among young people in the UK. It is estimated that for every person diagnosed with MS another 10 people, usually family and friends, are affected.

Demand on services is at an all-time high and this year the centre will need to raise more £600,000.

For more information about fundraising or about accessing support if you have MS, please call Tamzin Cordery on 0118 901 6000 or email tamzin@bmstc.org

Claire Frew