Law firm raises £7k for therapy centre
A BRISTOL law firm has raised a massive £7,000 for the West of England Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Bradley Stoke.
Irwin Mitchell nominated the centre as its charity of the year as the organisation relies entirely on donations from the public to keep going.
It provides therapy and treatment to people with MS and recently moved into its new £1.13 million facility, from where it will eventually support up to 600 patients every year in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and surrounding areas.
During its year of support, fund- raisers at Irwin Mitchell ran, rowed and raffled their way to their target.
The biggest single money spinner involved a team of 20 taking part in the Bristol Dragon Boat Festival in September, which raised £3,000.
There were numerous raffles and event days, with staff also taking part in the Bristol 10k run and a quiz that involved the Bristol office linking up with the firm's other centres around the country to test their general knowledge.
Irwin Mitchell spokeswoman Deborah Bigwood said: "We have really enjoyed raising funds for a charity that works so hard for the people it supports with MS."
The centre relocated to Bradley Stoke last month after more than ten years of planning.
It had previously been run for more than 25 years in an industrial unit in Nailsea but now people with the neurological condition and those providing it have more space at the new base for therapies and the volunteers who help with administration and fund raising.
There is more room for an oxygen tank and physiotherapy, extra space for people waiting to have therapy and for the first time, the centre can offer exercise classes at the same time as physio.
Raising cash to run the building is a priority but it is also hoped to add services, including getting a second oxygen chamber.
Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disorder that affects the protective coating surrounding nerves. It's symptoms can range from fatigue and vision problems to muscle spasms, memory problems and difficulty with walking, with an estimated 1,600 people living with MS in the Bristol area.
The centre's Janet Epplestone said: "We are extremely grateful to Irwin Mitchell for all the support we've received.
"At a time when we are settling in to our fantastic new centre, this kind of funding boost is hugely appreciated by everybody at the charity and those who use the centre."
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