Lord Provost's Charitable Trust to support City Multiple Sclerosis Study
MS SOCIETY RESPITE PROJECTS WILL ALSO BENEFIT
FROM TRUST'S BIGGEST EVER FUNDRAISING DRIVE
The Lord Provost's Charitable Trust is to embark on a major fundraising campaign in support of Multiple Sclerosis research and respite.
Lord Provost John Reynolds today revealed a three-year drive to raise money for the city branch of the MS Society - and advanced research at the University of Aberdeen - would be the biggest ever undertaken by the Trust.
The campaign marks a departure from those previously held, running for the remainder of the Provost's term in office and aiming to secure substantial sums, in partnership with experienced city fundraisers.
Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system.
It can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor co-ordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness. These problems may be permanent, or they may come and go.
For reasons as yet unknown, it is particularly common in Aberdeen and, indeed, throughout the entire North-east of Scotland. There is no known cure.
The Lord Provost's Charitable Trust will fund a research at the University of Aberdeen to aid the early diagnosis and treatment of MS.
Money will also aid MS Society in Aberdeen - which the Trust hopes to be able to support to improve respite care in the city.
Specifically, the Trust will initially raise money to replace a specially adapted minibus, which is a vital resource for members.
Lord Provost John Reynolds said: "Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable and devastating disease, which has a huge impact on the quality of life of sufferers, their family and their carers.
"It is, sadly, also a condition which is particularly prevalent in Aberdeen - as it is throughout the North-east of Scotland.
"There will be few families in the city who, if not directly affected by MS, do not know another that is. For that reason, the Trustees and myself believe it is a cause well worthy of our support." More…
He added: "The work that is being done at the University is very exciting, and this appeal is a great opportunity for the people of Aberdeen to show their support and help put the city at the forefront of research and treatment of this debilitating and distressing disease.
"And, day in day out, the local members of the MS Society put in tremendous effort to make life easier for sufferers and their families - which is equally important.
"Hopefully, by choosing the cause, we will also be able to increase awareness of Multiple Sclerosis and MS issues in the city and beyond."
Professor Chris Linnington is an internationally renowned expert who - before moving to the University of Aberdeen - worked on MS at the Max Plank Institute for Neurobiology, in Martinsried, Germany for 12 years.
He said: "This initiative will provide a vital boost to our research in Aberdeen on the treatment of MS. Early diagnosis is essential if we are to stop the development of chronic disability.
"Central government funding for research into MS has been under-resourced for many years, but we are fortunate that the University has invested in building up the facilities, staff and expertise that will allow us to pursue this exciting project, with the support of the Lord Provost's Charitable Trust."
The Trust will continue to support small city charities, with special attention being given to projects linked to the European Year of Education through Sport throughout 2004.