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Newry MS Society volunteers praised by Health Minister

Dedicated Newry volunteers were praised at an awards ceremony, held yesterday at Hillsborough Castle.

MS Society Newry Branch volunteer Janet Williamson, from Banbridge, with MS Society Chairman Peter Eakin and MS Society Director Patricia Gordon.

Volunteers from the MS Society Newry, Mourne and Armagh Branch attended the special awards ceremony, part of the charity’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, where they were honoured for their role in supporting local people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Janet Williamson, who has MS, volunteers with the local branch who provide support and information to people who are newly diagnosed, organise events and fundraising. She was presented with a certificate of recognition by Health Minister Edwin Poots MLA and Patricia Gordon, MS Society Director.

Speaking at the reception in Hillsborough Castle, the Minister said, “The MS Society has a long history of providing much needed support to people affected by MS in Northern Ireland.

“The fifteen local branches make a significant contribution on the ground by making it much easier for people with MS to get support within their own community, and as we all know such locally based services really make a big difference to the quality of people’s lives.

“It is the valued support from volunteers and branches that we are gathered here tonight to celebrate and I am delighted to be presenting certificates to recognise and acknowledge these outstanding contributions. I would like to wish the MS Society continued success.”

Janet Williamson, MS Society Newry, Mourne and Armagh Branch said, “I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of all the volunteers, past and present, who have played such an important role in the MS Society Newry, Mourne and Armagh Branch. MS is an unpredictable condition.

“It attacks at random and many of the symptoms are invisible to others, which can make people feel isolated and scared. That’s why it’s so important that our branch is here to support everyone affected by MS in the local area.”

Patricia Gordon, Director, MS Society added, “60 years ago our very first volunteer Sir Richard Cave founded the MS Society. Since then thousands of volunteers across the UK have been working hard to meet the needs of people affected by MS in their communities. Through their dedication and commitment they make a real difference to people living with MS.”

4,000 people live with multiple sclerosis in Northern Ireland. Every one of them shares the uncertainty of life with MS. It’s usually diagnosed in your 20s or 30s; news that can be scary and heartbreaking.

MS can get steadily worse, or symptoms can come and go unpredictably throughout your life. The MS Society is the leading charity committed to beating MS.

For more information on the MS Society Newry Branch call 02830835657 or visit www.mssociety.org.uk/ni

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=37401

Posted by on Dec 3 2013. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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