Multiple Sclerosis Ayrshire and Arran Yearbook 2011

Ayrshire & Arran Yearbook Photo: Abbey Tower. Kilwinning (c) Nick Smalley 2011

2011-2012

M S Ayrshire & A r r a n Office Bearers & Committee 2011-2012

Patron: Mr H R M Vernon DL

Chairman: George McLachlan 07711 151882

President: Mrs Kathryn Gray

Branch Secretary: Harry Travers 01294 553850

Membership Secretary: Carolyn MacIsaac 01292 471476

Treasurer: Chalmers Thomson 01292 282225

Senior Support Co-ordinator: Ann Barnes 01290 550720

Chief Fundraiser: Donald McNeill OBE 01292 280814

Support Co-ordinator: Irene MacLean 01292 478962

Support Co-ordinator: Moureen Jones 01290 423878

Support Co-ordinator: May Patrick 01290 420676

The Multiple Sclerosis Society is a registered charity in England & Wales (1139257) and Scotland (SCO41990) and a company limited by guarantee (07451571).

Chairman’s Introduction The publication of our annual Yearbook gives the Branch the opportunity to report to our members and supporters, and indeed the wider community in Ayrshire and Arran, our success in 2010 and our hopes for 2011. It was gratifying in 2010 - when we celebrated our 40th anniversary - to be able to meet so many of our targets and objectives. Our principal aim is supporting local people affected by multiple sclerosis, their families and carers.

Members’ surveys continually stress that research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis is our number one priority. At UK level, doctors and scientists are pursuing this holy grail of prevention of the onset of the condition and even its reversal. The Society and the Branch support their efforts practically and financially. However, we are mindful in the shorter term of the benefits of disease modifying treatments and drugs which can so help make day to day living for sufferers so much more bearable.

In 2010 we were able to support both objectives. We were able to donate the sum of £35,000 which was raised locally for research.

On a memorable day in June, Professor Charles Ffrench Constant accepted our donation to the University of Edinburgh and reported fully on encouraging progress and developments. At a local level, we continued our support for the excellent Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre in Irvine and we were able to fund specific specialised physiotherapy and nursing equipment of direct benefit to our members.

The joint appointment with the Health Board of a clinical psychologist specifically to support people with MS and their families has been widely welcomed and appreciated. These additional developments bring the national and local Society’s total contribution to local NHS service improvements to the order of £300,000 over the last ten years.

We continue to work very closely in our members’ interests with the three Ayrshire Councils, in particular their social services and housing departments An undoubted highlight in this our anniversary year was the opening in January 2010 of our Resource Centre in the Main Street in Kilwinning (the former Co-op premises). It has raised the profile of the Society and

the Branch in the eyes of the public. It allows us to provide an individual advice service in our ‘Quiet Room’.

All our administration can now be focussed on improvements to members’ services and fund-raising. With membership standing at 440 this is a key facility. Income from our Charity Shop makes a major contribution to rent and overheads and ensures external donations can be properly directed at meeting members’ needs. We remain an all volunteer Branch with no paid staff.

Donald McNeill OBE Outgoing Chairman

Support Team One of the main objectives of the Branch and indeed the whole Society is to provide assistance and support to people with MS, their families and carers. On this basis, our support team is a key part of our Branch activity.

I would like to remind everyone about the Individual Support Grant which is available to people affected by MS to enhance quality of life and alleviate crisis.

The system has been expanded to include Short Breaks and Respite which covers such things as holidays, care at home - to allow carers a break - and also helps to fund short courses such as reflexology, art, alternative treatments and so on.

The Carers Opportunities Fund has been developed to support carers wishing to return to employment or education. The fund can offer financial help with course fees and other associated costs.

The Young Carers Fund is for requests on behalf of young people aged 17 and under who help with a parent or guardian with MS. Requests have included driving lessons, residential courses and help to buy clothes for a job interview.

If you think that the grants system could assist you, please contact one of the Support Team - contact details appear near the front of this yearbook - or get in touch with our office on 01294 558866.

Under the new guidelines, ‘Drop-In’ home or domiciliary visits cannot now be made. However, a request to our Kilwinning Office or direct to any member of the Support Team will be promptly responded to, with the promise of complete confidentiality. Whether it is equipment, adaptations, respite care etc., our team of four trained volunteers are all there to help, so do not hesitate to contact us.

Ann Barnes Senior Support Co-ordinator

Resource Centre We have been in our new premises for 15 months now and it has gone from strength to strength, both in the Resource Centre and also in our Retail operation.

On the Resource side of things (our office is open Monday -Friday from 11am to 3pm) our profile has been raised tremendously and we are helping our members and their families and carers who enquire about various things.

Our Quarterly newsletter ‘inforMS’ is printed and posted from the Resource Centre and telephone and e-mail enquiries are also handled.

All enquiries we receive are handled with the utmost confidentially and I thank all of our office volunteers for a well done job.

I also thank all the volunteers on the retail side of things (our shop is open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 3pm) for doing a tremendous job. The funds raised by this venture are helping a lot to offset the cost of our rent. A big thanks to those who help out in both categories.

I would also like to thank all those people and patrons who support us with their purchases and I know that you find our volunteers both helpful and cheerful. Thanks is also due to those who donate Items for sale and remember more is welcome – small furnishings, books, CDs and DVDs. I would also like to thank George Hannah and his team from North Ayrshire Community Services who collect and deliver in the North Ayrshire area for us, this is indeed a great help.

We are always on the lookout for volunteers to help out at our Resource Centre and Charity Shop which is located at 84, Main Street, Kilwinning KA 13 6AG. If you can help please phone us on 01294 558866 or send us an e-mail to msayrshire@talktalk.net If you think you can help out with a few hours a week and have a good sense of humour please contact us.

Harry Travers Branch Secretary PLEASE REMEMBER TO INFORM US OF ANY CHANGES TO YOUR ADDRESS, E-MAIL OR TELEPHONE CONTACT NUMBER.

Fundraising & Donations For over 40 years, the Branch has relied on the local community to allow us to take our work forward in supporting people with multiple sclerosis and their families. It is a pleasure to report that even during the current economic downturn this generosity and good will has remained constant and indeed developed.

As an organisation, we receive no Government grants and all money raised and donated stays locally. This principle together with the fact we are an entirely volunteer led charity with no paid staff clearly chimes with the good people of Ayrshire and Arran. We undertake to continue this policy.

During the year 2010, our total income was £67,445 including a very generous legacy of £15,070 from a deceased lady and former supporter in Ayr. This net figure of £52,375 bore up well against the corresponding £51,760 in 2009.

An undoubted boost arose, as hoped for, from the part year operation of approx. £4,700 from our Charity Shop in our new Resource Centre in Kilwinning. We anticipate with continued support this will realise over £10,000 in the full year 2011 – a great contribution. The decision by UK Headquarters to allow our modest £5 annual subscriptions to be retained and used locally again generated over £2,000 for us from our 400 plus members. Our static collecting cans in shops, offices, pubs etc. chipped in with another £2,000.

Continued overleaf...

Colby Bettley sold MS wristbands to her friends and family to raise £70 for the branch.

Here she is seen handing over the cheque to Blair, who is one of our Resource Centre Volunteers.

We continue to recruit members and seek placements for our cans.

The specific rattling of cans at Tescos in Ayr, Irvine, Kilmarnock, and Auchinleck and further store and street collections in Arran, Largs and Millport provided well over £8,000 for our funds. It maintains the Society in the public eye .

The individual efforts of many of our supporters in marathons etc and sponsorship by their friends and colleagues has held up well. Sharon McLarty and Katrina Boon of Ayr raised a further £6,000 for running in the New York Marathon. This takes our total from this one event to about £30,000 over the last four years. We continue to seek and assist participants. Whether it is Glasgow Half Marathon, Round Arran Cycle Rides, West Highland Way Treks, Parachute Jumping, Clyde Zip Slides, Three Peak Challenges or Clay Pigeon Shoots, they and many others all boost our funds and importantly provide fun and challenges for our supporters. Sponsorship is materially assisted by the Government Gift Aid Scheme.

On a less energetic front, raffles, cake breaks, cheese and wine evenings and craft groups all contributed to our success and sense of involvement.

Talteg in Glasgow (but with big Ayr connections), Hillhouse Quarries Trust in Troon, the Ayr Ladies Auxiliary and the Noble Resolve Mission in Kilmarnock were again to the fore in their regular and handsome donations - a special mention here to the Ladies Section of Irvine Golf Club (Bogside), Royal Mail Charities and Ladbrokes Trust.

Sharon McLarty and Katrina Boon of Ayr raised £6,000 for the branch by running in the New York Marathon 2010. They are shown presenting their donation to Branch stalwarts Jim and Susan Fitt.

Again we benefited from the support of many Churches throughout the County. It is just too numerous to mention all of them but many individuals and families bore us in mind whilst celebrating birthdays, anniversaries etc and regrettably commemorating the departure of their loved ones. The Quiggs in Saltcoats, the Loves in Ayr and the Ingrams in Saltcoats, all good members, sadly fell into the latter category.

To all our supporters we say a big thank you. Your help and assistance is greatly appreciated not only by the Branch but also by our individual members and recipients of your generosity and efforts.

Donald McNeill OBE Immediate Past Chairman

The Committee and Members of Ayrshire & Arran Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society would like to acknowledge the support of the advertisers without whose generosity our yearbook would not have been possible. We thank them for their co-operation.

Financial Report

Annual Accounts 2009/2010 It is my pleasure to report another successful financial year for your branch. From a financial governance point of view, the 12 pages of financial proformas, required by MS UK, have been audited locally by Sinclair Scott and been given a clean bill of health.MS HQ has also intimated they have been accepted without qualification.

Income.

Volunteers and fundraisers generated an amazing £46k which is £1k up on the previous year.

There is also a new income stream, part way through this year, which generated £5k. It highlights the success of our new Resource Centre in Kilwinning, which opened in the spring, and is as a result of the hard work of all the volunteers and donors. Well done to you all!!

The branch received one new Restricted Fund of £15k during the year.

The restriction was “Not to be used on research” so the committee decided to use it for all Support Committee approvals excluding respite and holidays which already have a restricted fund.

Expenditure No application complying with the new national guidelines was refused by your Support Committee. During the year £11k was incurred providing respite care and holidays as usual and £13k was incurred for the balance of the Support Committee successful applications. This change was to concur with the restriction placed on the £15k legacy received in the year. (see above).

A donation of £5k was made to the Douglas Grant Centre to assist the purchase of a bladder scanner and a Motomed.

A donation of £35k was also made to the MS Scottish HQ to assist research carried out in Scotland.

Surplus / (Deficit) The branch made a planned deficit of almost £30k made up of a deficit on Restricted Funds of £9k and £21k on mainstream (Unrestricted Funds) activity.

The Balance Sheet.

The branch incurred greater expenditure on non-restricted activity than in the previous year. This is in line with MS national policy and Charities Commission Guidance. Indeed the branch’s financial plan is still to incur £32k more than we generate over the next three years so we are continuing to plan for year end deficits.

This year’s £30k total deficit has had the planned effect of reducing our bank balance down to a still very healthy £116k of which £31k can only be spent on respite care, holidays and other Support Committee approvals.

Chalmers Thomson Honorary Treasurer.

NORTH

Follow the fun as hapless provincial newspaper editor Peter North deals with the people and dramas of life in a small British seaside town.

You’ll find yourself laughing as North attempts to hold an interview with a habitually drunk former glamour model, inadvertantly puts a toilet attendant’s job in jeopardy and encounters a policeman who takes an instant dislike to him.

Add to the mix a scarecrow that frightens a pub cleaner, a disappearing cat and a painfully shy office trainee, and you have this amusing book that will keep you smiling from cover to cover.

A laugh a minute in this novel which shows the unseen side of life at a small British seaside resort.

“Very funny and very real.” Bryce Cumisky.

At just £6-95 it’s the ideal holiday reading! Get your copy from Nick Smalley, 3 Five Roads, Kilwinning KA13 7JX (Please make cheques/POs payable to N T Smalley.) or visit www.ntsmalley.homestead.com for more information.

Limited number of copies available - profits from the sale of the book will go to MS Ayrshire & Arran Branch.

LAST CHANCE TO BUY A COPY! Just £6.95

LOCAL SOCIAL GROUPS Opportunities to Socialise

The Branch has a variety of groups that meet regularly throughout the year. From our monthly Social Night, through to yoga sessions, there is sure to be something for everyone. All of the branch groups are informal, friendly gatherings of like-minded people.

Everyone is welcome to attend the groups shown below.

Kyle Coffee Club

The Kyle Coffee Club has gone from strength to strength and is now into its fourth year. When we first met we had tentative ideas of a small group of friends meeting for coffee and a chat. This is still the format, though we are now not so small but the chat is still 'the thing' along with the coffee or tea and scones.

We enjoy meeting each month with people who are now good friends and it is heartening to see new members and welcome them into the group We had the addition of the Girvan group last October and we are very happy to see them with us considering the distances involved.

We are hoping to organise some speakers again this year and are open to suggestions on topics of interest to the group. That could be interesting!

Kyle Coffee Club meet on the last Wednesday morning of the month at 10.30 at Dobbies Garden World,Holmston Toll, Ayr. If you feel that you would like to come along, we would love to see you! For further information, phone Irene at 01292 478962.

Irene MacLean and Carolyn MacIsaac

Cunninghame MS Drop-in Centre Cunninghame MS Drop-in Centre is still meeting at St. John’s Church Hall Stevenston on Thursdays at 12 noon until 3pm.

Come and get your lunch and afterwards you could maybe play pool as we now have two pool tables and we also have a Wii machine with an excellent bowling alley programme on it.

A quiz maybe the order of the day or a game of bingo depending on what people want to do. A charge of ÂŁ2 is made which covers the cost of your lunch.Come and join us and maybe give us some more new ideas of things to do. For more details phone Iris on 01294 471066.

Margaret Shuttleworth

New Cumnock & District Group

The New Cumnock MS Group meet at Lochside Hotel on the last Tuesday of the month. We are a lively lot with a an upbeat outlook on life. There is never a month goes by that we are not either going somewhere or having guest speakers.

Transport can sometimes be arranged to our meetings depending on your location, but please do not hesitate to call Caroline Duncan on 01290 333 846 if you would like more information. Everyone welcome.

Caroline Duncan

Henderson Centre Group

We might be few in numbers but I can assure you that we have a nice time when we meet the first and third Tuesday of each month. No diets on these days, we enjoy homemade muffins by Gail and a slice of fresh cream sponge supplied by Anne & Dorothy. All so delicious!

Never an occasion goes past without a celebration.... Burns Supper, birthdays,outings to McChristie's for a lovely meal and lots more!

There is always much social chit-chat, up to date MS information, recent holiday adventures, poems read to us by Gail and much more.

Over the last few months we have missed John & Dot who have been looking after family members. Another regular attender, Margaret K, has been ill but Catherine, 'mother' to everyone keeps us up to date.

Feel free to come along you will be made most welcome.

We meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 1 – 4pm in the Scout Hall behind Henderson Church, Kilmarnock. For more details please call Catherine on 01563 539537.

Moureen Jones Continued overleaf...

Branch Social Evening

For an evening of entertainment and good food, come along to our Branch Social Evening on the first Thursday of the month from April to September at 6.00pm for 6.30pm prompt at the Menzies Hotel, Irvine.

A Christmas Social Night will also take pace in December. Call us on 01294 558866 for details.

Yoga Class

Each Monday at 7.15pm at the Biggart Hospital, Prestwick. For details call Jean Howie on 01292 268434.

If you have difficulty in contacting any of the above groups, please call our office on 01294 558866.

Forecourt & Convenience Shop Open 24 Hours 1 MAIN STREET, AUCHINLECK KA18 2AB TEL: 01290 421224 / 425209 FAX: 01290 422962 ACCIDENT DAMAGE VEHICLES FOR SALE or BROKEN FOR PARTS OVER 200 MODERN VEHICLES BREAKING FOR SPARES Non-Genuine Manufacturers NEW PARTS available from stock All End of Life Vehicles processed and depolluted by our newly installed Authorised Treatment Facility All types of scrap handled andprocessed...environmentally !!!

MOBILE BAILING PLANT FOR HIRE 24 Hour Recovery Specialist HIAB Crane (45 Foot Reach). We will transport or relocate almost anythingfrom roof trusses to trains

Carers Scotland is a charity set up to support people who care for an elderly relative, a sick friend or a disabled family member.

Carers Scotland is the Scottish national office of Carers UK. Carers Scotland: Supports carers and provides information and advice about caring influences legislation and policy through our research based on carers’ real life experiences and campaigns to make life better for carers.

Photo copyright (c) Sam Tanner

There are almost 660,000 carers in Scotland - 1 in 8 of the population.

Every day almost 500 people take on a caring responsibility - that's 178,000 people each year. Caring will be a part of almost everyone's life, with 3 in 5 of us becoming carers at some point in our lives. With an ageing population, an estimated 1 million of us will look after an elderly relative, sick partner or a disabled family member by 2037.

Caring is part of life but without the right support the personal costs of caring can be high. Despite saving the Scottish economy ÂŁ7.6 billion each year, many carers face poverty, poor health and disadvantage.

Three quarters of carers struggle to pay utility bills, more than half are in debt, 1 in 5 have given up work to care and more than half have a long term illness or disability.

Carers Scotland is here to provide the support and advice that carers need. We help carers to: • • • • • • •

get the best for the person they care for make the most of their income stay in paid work juggle their busy lives keep healthy find a listening ear campaign for change.

To find out more or receive information and advice about your caring situation, please contact Carers Scotland at: The Cottage, 21 Pearce Street, Glasgow, G51 3UT Tel: 0141 445 3070 email: info@carerscotland.org or visit www.carerscotland.org.

Alternatively, you can contact our Carers Advice Line on freephone: 0808 808 7777 (Wednesday and Thursday 10-12 and 2-4pm)

A.Stevely Electrical Contractors

22a Bank Street Irvine KA12 0AG

Tel: 01294 311558 Fax: 01294 313411

Best wishes to MS Ayrshire & Arran

Ayrshire & Arran Branch Website Find us online 24 hours a day every day at...

www.msayrshire.com

Disability Goods and Services Directory

The following is a listing of suppliers of goods and services which may be appropriate for people affected by MS or other disabilities.

For easy reference it is categorised and the names of organisations within reasonable travelling distance of Ayrshire appear in red text.

Inclusion in this directory does not mean that any recommendation is made or implied of any organisation by the branch, or its publishers.

Aids for Daily Living Limetree Healthcare, Townhead Pharmacy, 2/3 Station Plaza, Pennyburn Road, Kilwinning, Ayrshire KA13 6NT Tel 01294 559898 / 559899 www.limetree-healthcare.co.uk Your local family-owned pharmacy stocks a comprehensive range of mobility aids as well as dailiy living aids from one of the UK’s largest suppliers. Wheelchair rental as well as free prescription collection and delivery services and great healthcare advice.

Builders James Watson; 18 Moncur Road, Kilwinning, KA13 7LD Tel 01294 559010 General Builders, Extensions, Wet Rooms etc.

Care and Care Homes Buckredddan Care Centre, Kilwinning KA13 7PF Tel 01294 552100 Family-run care centre offering nursing, residential and chronic care to persons over 18. www.buckreddancarecentre.com Cars and Wheelchair Adapted Vehicles Allied Mobility, 230 Balmore Road, Glasgow G22 6LJ Tel 0800 916 3018 The UK’s number 1 vehicle adaptation specialist and supplier of minibuses and WAVs. www.alliedmobility.com Gleneagles Conversions, 95 Bonnygate, Cupar, Fife KY15 4LG Tel 01334 657722 Specialist conversions to cars, minibuses and people carriers providing mobility and freedom solutions for disabled and wheelchair user-drivers and passengers. Also carry out adaptations for drivers with restricted mobility. www.gleneaglesconversions.co.uk When contacting these organisations please tell them that you saw their listing in the MS Ayrshire & Arran Yearbook

Hoists and Stairlifts Caledonian Care Systems, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire G73 1DR Tel 0141 647 8654 Ceiling Hoists, Stairlifts and Accessories Holidays and Travel Port Selma Lodges, Benderloch, Oban PA37 1QP Tel 01631 720224 Wheelchair-friendly luxury pine lodges with Full Disabled Access overlooking Ardmucknish Bay, 8 miles north of Oban. www.portselma.co.uk Motoring Blue Badge Network, 198 Wolverhampton St; Dudley DY1 1DZ Tel 01384 275001 Charity for holders of Blue Badges living in the UK. www.bluebadgenetwork.org Disabled Motorists Federation, Washington NE37 1JN Tel 0191 416 3172 Charitable federation for disabled motorists in the UK www.dmfed.org.uk Scooters & Wheelchairs DFO (UK) Ltd, 17 Ashgrove Workshops, Kilwinning KA13 6PU Tel 01294 550099 Friendly local company supplying a wide range of Mobilty Aids, wheelchairs, scooters etc. at highly discounted prices. www.dfo.uk.com Social Groups affiliated to MS Ayrshire & Arran Cunninghame MS Drop-In Group Meets every Thursday Noon—3pm St John’s Church Hall, Stevenston. Contact Iris on 01294 471066 for details.

Henderson Centre Group Meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1 – 4pm in the Scout Hall behind Henderson Church, Kilmarnock. Call Catherine on 01563 539537 for further information.

Continues overleaf

MS Ayrshire & Arran - Social Groups (continued) Kyle Coffee Club Meet on the last Wednesday of each month at 10.30am Dobbies Garden Centre, near Ayr. Contact Irene on 01292 478962 New Cumnock Group Last Tuesday of each month from 6.30 pm at the Lochside House Hotel in New Cumnock. Contact Caroline Duncan - 01290 333846 Branch Social Evening First Thursday of the month at 6pm for 6.30pm prompt at the Menzies Hotel, Irvine. Call us on 01294 558866 for details.

Yoga Class Each Monday at 7.15pm at the Biggart Hospital, Prestwick.

Call Jean Howie on 01292 268434.

Seating & Furniture Anderson Medical, Dryden Rd, Loanhead, EH20 9LZ Tel 0800 328 4143 Suppliers of quality medical goods including specialist seating and beds providing pressure care and postural support. www.andersonmedical.co.uk Therapy & Pain Relief Think and Heal, 2 Hamilton Street, Kilwinning, KA13 7AG Tel 01294 550962 Drug-free pain relief and natural products for body and mind. www.thinkandheal.com When contacting these organisations please tell them that you saw their listing in the MS Ayrshire & Arran Yearbook.

Want to join us?

You can! A modest membership fee of just £5 a year brings you all the benefits of being a part of Scotland’s largest MS branch with over 440 members.

Call our office on 01294 558866 for no obligation details.

24 hour call out

• • • • • • •

0845 604 5450

Refrigeration Air Conditioning Ventilation & Hygiene Heating - Domestic & Commercial Gas - Heating & Catering Plumbing & Hygiene Facilities Maintenance

Walker House, Station Road Industrial Estate, Mauchline, Ayrshire KA5 5EU www.chilliservices.co.uk

Two Luxury Pine Lodges

FULLY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE Self-Catering from £250 a week Set in a beautiful location on the West Highland Coastline at Benderloch, near Oban.

Each sleeps 4 people in 2 bedrooms (one with an en-suite wet room), large verandah, separate bathroom, and large kitchen/dining/living room.

Phone or fax for details:

01631 720224 Email: willieorr@btinternet.com Website: www.portselma.co.uk