Fair raises money for therapy centre

Published 20 Nov 2008 10:00 0 Comments

SUPPORTERS of a health charity hope to keep its services free despite the credit crunch.

The Berkshire MS Therapy Centre held its annual Christmas fair on Saturday to help raise some of the £300,000 a year it needs to provide support and treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Trustee Jim Dunn said: "I think what we've got to look at in the near future is that funds are going to get harder to raise. We are going to suffer from the recession the same as everybody else. That makes things like today even more important.

"The people who can afford to donate for their treatment do that and that helps contribute to the treatment of people who can't afford it any other way."

The centre offers physiotherapy, counselling and other therapies for people diagnosed with the incurable nerve disease, which can cause difficulty moving, weakness, pain and memory problems.

Doreen Rome, who operates the oxygen chamber therapy, said: "Lots of people think the treatment is absolutely the bee's knees. The objective of the place is to offer relief to people that are suffering within the area. We pride ourselves on putting a smile on people's faces."

The fair was organised by Trish Wright and Glynis Wilks of the centre's Link group. Mrs Wright said: "The Link group is here if people have a problem or something they want brought to light. If we can solve it, we do, if not, we pass it on to the manager or the trustees. We have two fairs a year that raise money for the centre."

Stalls at the centre in August End, west Reading, sold Christmas cakes and gifts, preserves and toys, and there was also a tombola, raffle and Santa's grotto.

It was opened by Reading West MP Martin Salter, who said: "I am delighted that the MS Therapy Centre, of which I am a patron, turned out to be my first Christmas engagement of 2008. They do a fantastic job in helping people with this dreadful and crippling condition."

Seven Scouts and older Explorers from the 89th Reading Scouts in Emmer Green helped run stalls.

Visit www.bmstc.org

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 20 Nov 08

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