Press Release

PARACHUTE JUMP

On July 14th at The Parachute Centre, Tilstock Airfield,
Whitchurch there are some very brave and wonderful people are going to leap out of a plane and parachute back down to earth all to help others.
Tandem jumps are an excellent introduction to the world of skydiving, enabling you to experience the thrill of a freefall whilst safely strapped to a professional Parachute Instructor, but they need to raise sponsorship of £385 to take part in this worthwhile event
Why not jump with a group of friends ,family
or work colleagues?
Share the fear and increase the fun whilst raising funds to help people affected by MS

We now have a team of ten intrepid members or friends of the branch who have agreed to jump out of a plane from 10,000 feet!!!!but we still would like more.
This is the highest that an amateur can jump from and will be a tandem jump ( where we will be attached to a trained parachutist). The jump is planned to take place on the 14th July.
Sponsor forms will be available shortly and if anyone would like a form to gather sponsors for our brave team please contact Wendy on 239229.
The jump team include people from the Young Group, Musketeers, The Support Team , the Committee and the YMCA staff, as well as supporters of the branch.

A full list of the jump team will be in the next Knotty Matters

For more information
Tel. 01782-239229

As mentioned above Miss Stoke on Trent Kaylee Miller our Honorary Patron is participating in the parachute Jump,

just click on the link to help her raise some money.....

http://www.justgiving.com/miss_s-o-t_for_ms

Lin Hulme needs your support instead of you needing hers!

Yes our own Support Officer Lin is one of the brave souls jumping

please show your support by clicking on the link and donating.

http://www.justgiving.com/linhulme

Steve Abbott's Skydive For MS

Steve is just one of our jumpers his progress can be tracked here

& if you want to donate click the link below

http://www.justgiving.com/skydivingsteve

Date for your Diary

A family fun day is planned for June 16th
The Sailability venue at Rudyard lake has been booked so that members can bring family along to have a go at sailing, enjoy a barbecue, and watch the entertainment available. The mad scientist, circus skills, facepainting, palm reading and other activities are already confirmed, so keep the date free because this day will be the event of the year!!!!

          Before Christmas last year Wendy our Fundraiser entered the Evening Sentinel treasure Hunt for our branch. The weeks dragged on and despite having a lot of help with entries from our members and friends we thought we didn't stand much chance.

How wrong we were

Wendy & Christine receiving a lovely cheque for £7500.00

The North Staffs Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society

Monday 18th Sept 2006 saw the start of a new and exiting venture at the Y.M.C.A. in Hanley. M.S. Mondays will run from 12-00 to 4-30pm for people with Multiple Sclerosis and their carers. It is aimed to provide members of the branch, the chance to do something different, to try and take their minds off the daily problems they have with an illness such as M.S.

We will be offering a wide variety of activities over the coming months witch will include such things as, Indoor bowling, Jewellery making, Handmade cards,  Relaxation techniques, Glass painting, Photography, Calligraphy,  wreath making, Manicures, Sign language.
And Partnership Whist.

There is also a Neuro-Physiotherapist present whom is by appointment only, and we also have the full use of the Y.M.C.A newly refurbished Gym,

M.S. Mondays at the Y.M.C.A.

We are back on the 8th January and are starting the New Year off with a bang.

Here is a taste of what’s to come in 2007.

The Gym.                              Card Making
Exercise bike                           Glass Painting
Bowling                                  Digital Photography
Relaxation                              Water Colour Painting
Physiotherapy                         Wreath Making         
Exercise group                         Jigsaws
Manicurist                              Whist Drive
Aromatherapy                         Calligraphy
Equipment Demo                     Jewellery Making
Sign Language                        Cake Icings (Easter)
Quarterly Group Meetings.        Flower arrangements
Lace Making

      So make a note in your diary 8th January
   Our first meeting in 2007

Exercise

Exercise is very important for everyone particularly
 if you are fighting an illness.
The Y.M.C.A. in Hanley has a newly equipped gym for anyone who is interested at a cost of £1-50 per session.
 It also has a Medimotion exercise bike for those who are less mobile.
If you would like to book a session in the gym, ring The Y.M.C.A. on 01782 864500 and ask to speak to a gym instructor. You will need to have an assessment on your first visit.

You can get more info on this therapeutic Machine by going to
www.medimotion.co

MS Young Group

Sara Morris has organised a young persons group

for people affected by MS.

"In addition to meetings there will be a schedule of events to look forward to in the new year. These include things like BBQ’s, curry nights and hopefully a pub crawl! The young group will also be participating in the parachute jump for the North Staffs branch, although some of us will be waiting at the bottom with a stiff drink!"

You can email Sara

sara_vernon@hotmail.com

Or You can visit her website Here

Sailability

Recently our support team went on a "bonding" expedition to Rudyard Lake who run a "Sailability Centre" which is fully equipped to cater for the disabled, here is what Sailability say on their site..

"Through RYA Sailability, whatever disability, a whole new life can open up.

Whether it is for you or for someone you know, the first time in tiny dinghies, or offshore cruising as part of a round the world racing crew, we’re here to help you get out on the water. It is a chance to learn a new skill, have a great social life and most importantly enjoy freedom.

There are many places where you can try sailing – 200 or so clubs around the UK have a wide range of special facilities and volunteers to help. Many have hoists, launching ramps and specially adapted changing rooms. Some are RYA Training Centres where sail training is offered.

There are also many different types of boat you can try. Use our Where to go sailing guide, by selecting Sailability Centre, and find the facility most suitable for you. Getting out on the water can be a liberating experience. So get involved today."

http://www.rya.org.uk/AboutRYA/RY

Club address
Name: Rudyard Sailability
Address: Rudyard Lake
Lake Road
Leek
Staffordshire
ST13 8BX
UK
Tel: 01782 550639
Tel 2: 01782 853721
Fax: 01782 550639
Email: prospect@talk21.comASailability/

A NEW AWARD!! The Branch is proud to win 2005 an Essentials Award for its Support to the Newly Diagnosed. Pictured receiving the Award at the National Conference, held in Birmingham in October, is seated, Linda Walker, Branch Support Officer and Christine Green, Branch Secretary, along with two of Stafford Branch award winners. Presentation was made by Tony Kennan, National Chairman.Unfortunately Linda has now left the Branch and we wish her well with whatever she decides to do next.

By the end of 2004 every Branch in the country had to provide basic services, to an agreed standard to all people affected by MS.  These services are called ‘Essentials’

The MS Society launched a new Award Scheme this year, known as the ‘Essential Award’

Awards are given to branches who provide services far beyond what is required.

There were 8 Awards and the North Staffs Branch was proud to win one of these awards.

We won the award for ‘Supporting the Newly Diagnosed’.

The Branch is proud of its achievements, as in 2003 we also won the ‘Branch Partnership Award’ for working in partnership with two neighbouring  Branches and the MS Nurses at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

The Musketeers

The Musketeers is a support group for people who know and, or care for someone with MS. Formed in 2002, membership has steadily grown and looks at all issues faced by carers. Affiliated to the North Staffordshire Branch of The M.S. Society, The Musketeers meet once a month for a social get together. For further information visit the website:

http://www.themusketeers.org/