MSquared February newsletter is now available. It includes a list of dates known so far for MSquared events in 2012.
Click here to download the newsletter.
Forthcoming events include a Quiz Night on 22nd March. Tables have to be booked at the venue, so please use the form in the newsletter or email MSquared to book a place as soon as possible.Deadline for payment is 1st March.
These courses, developed by Bracknell & Wokingham College, are intended to help carers develop confidence and learn new skills, knowing that support and guidance is available when needed. This helps to enrich their lives and to develop the tools and skills for planning future learning and/or preparing for work when their caring responsibilities end.
All courses are held in a relaxed and friendly environment in small supportive groups.
Click here to download the leaflet containing full details of the courses and advice on making attendance possible. To apply for any of the courses, please telephone Enquiries and Admissions on 0845 330 3343 or visit the website at www.bracknell.ac.uk.
A Zumba fitness workout at Wargrave Piggott School in December raised £1,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Almost 80 people took part in the event, which was organised by Zumba instructor, Samantha Rayner.
Latin-inspired Zumba was created by dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in Colombia during the 1990s. It is now the largest dance fitness program in the world.
The cheque was presented to Heather Cresswell and Shirley Boyt of the Reading and Wokingham Branch of the Society. Both were over the moon to receive such a magnificent sum.
Blue Badge parking arrangements in Reading town centre are changing. Please beware if you are planning to drive into Reading town centre to do a spot of Christmas shopping:
A number of disabled bays can now only be accessed between 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. (or after 7.00 p,m,) every day, including weekends! Cameras are in operation, and you will be fined £60 if you are caught. The bays, 29 in total, are located in part of Friar Street, West Street and St Mary's Butts.
You may not realise, as it doesn't say on the meters or signs, but you can park for four hours free of charge where there is a parking meter, but do remember to display both your badge and clock.
There are also a number of double and single yellow lines where you can park, but again remember your badge and clock.
The council has produced a map detailing all of the above. Click here to view the map (PDF file). It isn't the clearest of maps, but hopefully it may help you find somewhere to park.
We will try to keep you up to date with future changes
“I have MS. But thanks to you, I also have... coffee with friends, swimming on Sundays, walks out with my dog Lily, days out with my grandchildren... my freedom!”
Di received a grant from the MS Society towards a new mobility scooter. To help raise funds, she kindly agreed to share her experiences of MS and the difference the scooter has made to her life.
Head Office sent a fundraising letter to 34,000 households across the UK in early September. Since then, members and supporters have donated over £70,000 to the appeal
Diane's story is on the new national MS website. Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal can do so at: www.mssociety.org.uk/freedom
Our three pagoda sales in Woodley this year have raised £1,060. Many thanks to all who donated items to sell and to those who helped with the sales.
If you have any items to donate for future sales please ring Shirley on 0118 961 6107.
Regulars enjoyed a buffet lunch and a slice of cake to celebrate the 10th birthday of our Drop-in on Monday 24th October.
The Drop-in replaced the old ‘Monday Club’, and was the brainchild of Colin Graves, sadly no longer with us. However, Colin’s widow Dianne still regularly attends the Drop-in.
During its 10-year existence the Drop-in has gone from strength to strength and now provides arts & crafts, computer training, alternative therapies and guest speakers as well as the opportunity to just have a chat over coffee or lunch.
Visitors to Rushall Farm for the Easter weekend's bluebell walks enjoyed summery weather and a great crop of bluebells. Meanwhile, initial figures for the lambing weekend (19th-20th March) show that it was very successful, with some £40,000 in gross takings (to be shared with the Bradfield Primary Project, and allowing for the Gift Aid element).
Rosemary Tocock, chairman of the MS Society’s Reading and Wokingham branch and the Thames Valley Region, has been made an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
Rosemary has been a vital part of the MS Society for over 30 years, since 1978, and has been a full-time volunteer for the last 10 years.
Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS Society, said: “We are thrilled for Rosemary, and so proud that her truly inspiring work has been honoured so highly. We couldn’t do what we do without the dedication of Rosemary and her fellow volunteers, who give their time freely to support people living with MS.”
Speaking to the Reading Post, Rosemary said she was delighted and overwhelmed when she received the letter. She said: “I know everyone who gets an award says it, but it’s about teamwork. It’s not just me. No one person deserves an award.”
Congratulations Rosemary!
(Reproduced with kind permission of the National MS Society website)
It may surprise you to learn that we rely entirely on volunteers to run our Branch activities. New volunteers are always welcomed and these are just some of the ways you could get involved. It needn't be a huge commitment even a small amount of your time would be valued. Perhaps you could:
sell raffle tickets, publicise an event, bake a cake, make tea at a social event.
If you have a little more time to spare maybe you'd like to:
drive one of our minibuses, look after our website, help organise fundraising events, visit someone with MS.
If you have a young person in your family who is taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, they might like to help us as part of their charitable work.
Contact us, we'd love to hear from you!
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Registered charity nos. 1139257 / SC041990
Registered as a limited company in England and Wales no. 07451571
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