Hiking for MS

Our names are Lorna, Becks, Miranda and Kate and we are taking part in a 4 day-sponsored hike over April Bank Holiday, walking the entirety of the 102km stretch of the Stour Valley Way to raise money for our friend Carol who has MS (Multiple Sclerosis).

In 2006 when Carol was 36, she got diagnosed with relapsing/remitting MS. Her mobility began to significantly deteriorate within 3 years and walking any distance became a lot harder. Carol managed to hold down two jobs for the 12 years following her diagnosis - adapting her work as the MS progressed. By 2020 she had moved into the progressive stage of MS, where her mobility became even more limited, accompanied with muscle weakness, fatigue, numbness, and many other symptoms an MS diagnosis brings with it. By 2021 she had to give up her much loved bartending job as she could no longer physically manage it. Carol managed to continue part time as a Country Park Ranger at Avon Heath for a while longer, making adaptations as she could to keep doing the job she loves but unfortunately the disease has now forced her into medically retiring from this role as well. Despite the immense mental and physical strain MS takes on Carol, she does everything she can to remain positive, keep fighting, and stay as independent as possible, for as long as possible!

Despite excellent support from NHS MS team, there have still been considerable expenses Carol has covered to enable her to keep living independently. Rollators, mobility scooters, a car with electric ramp, Electric stimulator for ‘foot drop’ all come at a huge expense. Mobility benefit helps towards some of this but by no means covers it all. Carol now needs to adapt her home to allow wheelchair access and extra mobility support.

Please help us raise money to help fund an electric wheelchair and other mobility aids, which would allow Carol to keep living life to the full, remain in her own home and still enjoy the outdoors where she is most happy.