Photo: Abbey Tower. Kilwinning (c) Nick Smalley 2011

Ayrshire &Arran

Yearbook2011-2012

M S Ayrshire & ArranOffice Bearers & Committee 2011-2012

Patron:Mr H R M Vernon DL

President:Mrs Kathryn Gray

Chairman:George McLachlan

07711 151882

Treasurer:Chalmers Thomson

01292 282225

Branch Secretary:Harry Travers01294 553850

Membership Secretary:Carolyn MacIsaac

01292 471476

Chief Fundraiser:Donald McNeill OBE

01292 280814

Senior SupportCo-ordinator:

Ann Barnes01290 550720

SupportCo-ordinator:Moureen Jones01290 423878

SupportCo-ordinator:

May Patrick01290 420676

SupportCo-ordinator:Irene MacLean01292 478962

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

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

Members’ surveys continually stress that research to find a cure formultiple sclerosis is our number one priority. At UK level, doctors andscientists are pursuing this holy grail of prevention of the onset of thecondition and even its reversal. The Society and the Branch supporttheir efforts practically and financially. However, we are mindful in theshorter term of the benefits of disease modifying treatments and drugswhich can so help make day to day living for sufferers so much morebearable.

In 2010 we were able to support both objectives. We were able todonate the sum of £35,000 which was raised locally for research.On a memorable day in June, Professor Charles Ffrench Constantaccepted our donation to the University of Edinburgh and reportedfully on encouraging progress and developments. At a local level, wecontinued our support for the excellent Douglas Grant RehabilitationCentre in Irvine and we were able to fund specific specialised physio-therapy and nursing equipment of direct benefit to our members. The joint appointment with the Health Board of a clinical psychologistspecifically to support people with MS and their families has beenwidely welcomed and appreciated. These additional developmentsbring the national and local Society’s total contribution to local NHSservice improvements to the order of £300,000 over the last ten years.We continue to work very closely in our members’ interests with thethree Ayrshire Councils, in particular their social services and housingdepartments

An undoubted highlight in this our anniversary year was the opening inJanuary 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 individualadvice 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 torent and overheads and ensures external donations can be properly directed at meeting members’ needs. We remain an all volunteer Branchwith no paid staff.

Donald McNeill OBEOutgoing Chairman

Support TeamOne of the main objectives of the Branch and indeed the whole Societyis to provide assistance and support to people with MS, their familiesand carers. On this basis, our support team is a key part of our Branchactivity.

I would like to remind everyone about the Individual Support Grantwhich is available to people affected by MS to enhance quality of lifeand alleviate crisis.

The system has been expanded to include Short Breaks and Respitewhich 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 carerswishing 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 contactone of the Support Team - contact details appear near the front of thisyearbook - or get in touch with our office on 01294 558866.

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

Ann BarnesSenior Support Co-ordinator

Resource CentreWe have been in our new premises for 15 months now and it has gonefrom strength to strength, both in the Resource Centre and also in ourRetail operation.

On the Resource side of things (our office is open Monday -Friday from11am to 3pm) our profile has been raised tremendously and we arehelping our members and their families and carers who enquire aboutvarious things.

Our Quarterly newsletter ‘inforMS’ is printed and posted from theResource 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 isopen Monday to Saturday from 11am to 3pm) for doing a tremendousjob. The funds raised by this venture are helping a lot to offset the costof 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 supportus with their purchases and I know that you find our volunteers bothhelpful and cheerful. Thanks is also due to those who donate Items forsale and remember more is welcome – small furnishings, books, CDsand DVDs. I would also like to thank George Hannah and his teamfrom North Ayrshire Community Services who collect and deliver in theNorth Ayrshire area for us, this is indeed a great help.

We are always on the lookout for volunteers to help out at ourResource 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-mailto msayrshire@talktalk.net If you think you can help out with a fewhours a week and have a good sense of humour please contact us.

Harry TraversBranch Secretary

PLEASE REMEMBER TO INFORM US OF ANY CHANGES TO YOURADDRESS, E-MAIL OR TELEPHONE CONTACT NUMBER.

Fundraising & DonationsFor over 40 years, the Branch has relied on the local community toallow us to take our work forward in supporting people with multiplesclerosis and their families. It is a pleasure to report that even duringthe current economic downturn this generosity and good will hasremained constant and indeed developed.

As an organisation, we receive no Government grants and all moneyraised and donated stays locally. This principle together with the factwe are an entirely volunteer led charity with no paid staff clearly chimeswith the good people of Ayrshire and Arran. We undertake to continuethis policy.

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

An undoubted boost arose, as hoped for, from the part year operationof approx. £4,700 from our Charity Shop in our new Resource Centrein Kilwinning. We anticipate with continued support this will realise over£10,000 in the full year 2011 – a great contribution. The decision byUK Headquarters to allow our modest £5 annual subscriptions to beretained and used locally again generated over £2,000 for us from our400 plus members. Our static collecting cans in shops, offices, pubsetc. chipped in with another £2,000.

Continued overleaf...

Colby Bettley soldMS wristbands toher friends andfamily to raise £70for the branch.Here she is seenhanding over thecheque to Blair,who is one of ourResource CentreVolunteers.

We continue to recruit members and seek placements for our cans.The specific rattling of cans at Tescos in Ayr, Irvine, Kilmarnock, andAuchinleck and further store and street collections in Arran, Largsand Millport provided well over £8,000 for our funds. It maintains theSociety in the public eye .

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

On a less energetic front, raffles, cake breaks, cheese and wineevenings and craft groups all contributed to our success and senseof involvement.

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

Sharon McLarty andKatrina Boon of Ayrraised £6,000 for the branch by running in theNew York Marathon2010. They areshown presentingtheir donation toBranch stalwartsJim 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 theirloved ones. The Quiggs in Saltcoats, the Loves in Ayr and the Ingramsin Saltcoats, all good members, sadly fell into the latter category.

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

Donald McNeill OBEImmediate Past Chairman

The Committee and Members of Ayrshire & Arran Branch of theMultiple Sclerosis Society would like to acknowledge the support of the advertisers without whose generosity our yearbook wouldnot have been possible. We thank them for their co-operation.

Financial ReportAnnual Accounts 2009/2010

It is my pleasure to report another successful financial year for yourbranch. From a financial governance point of view, the 12 pages offinancial proformas, required by MS UK, have been audited locally bySinclair 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, whichgenerated £5k. It highlights the success of our new Resource Centre inKilwinning, which opened in the spring, and is as a result of the hardwork 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 committeedecided to use it for all Support Committee approvals excluding respiteand holidays which already have a restricted fund.

Expenditure

No application complying with the new national guidelines was refusedby your Support Committee. During the year £11k was incurred providing respite care and holidays as usual and £13k was incurred forthe balance of the Support Committee successful applications. Thischange was to concur with the restriction placed on the £15k legacyreceived in the year. (see above).

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

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

Surplus / (Deficit)

The branch made a planned deficit of almost £30k made up of a deficiton Restricted Funds of £9k and £21k on mainstream (UnrestrictedFunds) activity.

NNOORRTTHHFollow 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 aninterview with a habitually drunk former glamour model,inadvertantly puts a toilet attendant’s job in jeopardy andencounters a policeman who takes an instant dislike to him.

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

A laugh a minute in this novel which shows the unseenside 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 copyfrom 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 saleof the book will go to MS Ayrshire & Arran Branch.

LAST CHANCETO BUY A

COPY!

Just £6.95

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 CharitiesCommission Guidance. Indeed the branch’s financial plan is still to incur£32k more than we generate over the next three years so we arecontinuing to plan for year end deficits.

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

Chalmers Thomson Honorary Treasurer.

LOCAL SOCIAL GROUPSOpportunities to Socialise

The Branch has a variety of groups that meet regularly throughout theyear. From our monthly Social Night, through to yoga sessions, thereis 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 ClubThe Kyle Coffee Club has gone from strength to strength and is nowinto 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 friendsand it is heartening to see new members and welcome them into thegroup We had the addition of the Girvan group last October and weare very happy to see them with us considering the distances involved.

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

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

Irene MacLean and Carolyn MacIsaac

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

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

A quiz maybe the order of the day or a game of bingo depending onwhat people want to do. A charge of £2 is made which covers the costof your lunch.Come and join us and maybe give us some more newideas of things to do. For more details phone Iris on 01294 471066.

Margaret Shuttleworth

New Cumnock & District GroupThe New Cumnock MS Group meet at Lochside Hotel on the lastTuesday 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 goingsomewhere or having guest speakers.

Transport can sometimes be arranged to our meetings dependingon your location, but please do not hesitate to call Caroline Duncan on01290 333 846 if you would like more information. Everyone welcome.

Caroline Duncan

Henderson Centre GroupWe might be few in numbers but I can assure you that we have a nicetime when we meet the first and third Tuesday of each month. No dietson these days, we enjoy homemade muffins by Gail and a slice of freshcream 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 beenlooking 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 inthe Scout Hall behind Henderson Church, Kilmarnock. For more detailsplease call Catherine on 01563 539537.

Moureen Jones

Continued overleaf...

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

A Christmas Social Night will also take pace in December. Call us on01294 558866 for details.

Yoga Class Each Monday at 7.15pm at the Biggart Hospital, Prestwick. For detailscall Jean Howie on 01292 268434.

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

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Non-Genuine Manufacturers NEW PARTS available from stock

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MOBILE BAILING PLANT FOR HIRE

24 Hour Recovery SpecialistHIAB Crane (45 Foot Reach). We will transport or relocate

almost anythingfrom roof trusses to trains

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Forecourt &Convenience Shop

Open 24 Hours

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 carersand providesinformation and adviceabout caringinfluences legislation andpolicy throughour researchbased on carers’ real lifeexperiencesand campaignsto make lifebetter for carers.

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's178,000 people each year. Caring will be a part of almost everyone'slife, with 3 in 5 of us becoming carers at some point in our lives. Withan ageing population, an estimated 1 million of us will look after anelderly relative, sick partner or a disabled family member by 2037.

Caring is part of life but without the right support the personal costs ofcaring can be high. Despite saving the Scottish economy £7.6 billioneach year, many carers face poverty, poor health and disadvantage.Three quarters of carers struggle to pay utility bills, more than half arein debt, 1 in 5 have given up work to care and more than half have along term illness or disability.

Photo copyright (c) Sam Tanner

Carers Scotland is here to provide the support and advice that carersneed. 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 caringsituation, please contact Carers Scotland at: The Cottage, 21 Pearce Street, Glasgow, G51 3UT Tel: 0141 445 3070email: 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.StevelyElectrical

Contractors22a Bank Street

Irvine KA12 0AGTel: 01294 311558 Fax: 01294 313411

Best wishes toMS Ayrshire & Arran

Ayrshire & ArranBranch Website

Find us online24 hours a dayevery day at...

www.msayrshire.com

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

For easy reference it is categorised and the names of organisationswithin 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.

Disability Goods and ServicesDirectory

Aids for Daily Living

Limetree Healthcare, Townhead Pharmacy, 2/3 Station Plaza,Pennyburn Road, Kilwinning, Ayrshire KA13 6NTTel 01294 559898 / 559899www.limetree-healthcare.co.ukYour local family-owned pharmacy stocks a comprehensive rangeof mobility aids as well as dailiy living aids from one of the UK’slargest suppliers. Wheelchair rental as well as free prescriptioncollection and delivery services and great healthcare advice.

BuildersJames Watson; 18 Moncur Road, Kilwinning, KA13 7LDTel 01294 559010General Builders, Extensions, Wet Rooms etc.

Care and Care HomesBuckredddan Care Centre, Kilwinning KA13 7PFTel 01294 552100Family-run care centre offering nursing, residential and chroniccare to persons over 18. www.buckreddancarecentre.com

Cars and Wheelchair Adapted VehiclesAllied Mobility, 230 Balmore Road, Glasgow G22 6LJTel 0800 916 3018The UK’s number 1 vehicle adaptation specialist and supplier ofminibuses and WAVs.www.alliedmobility.com

Gleneagles Conversions, 95 Bonnygate, Cupar, Fife KY15 4LGTel 01334 657722Specialist conversions to cars, minibuses and people carriers providing mobility and freedom solutions for disabled and wheel-chair user-drivers and passengers. Also carry out adaptationsfor drivers with restricted mobility.www.gleneaglesconversions.co.uk

When contacting these organisations please tell them thatyou saw their listing in the MS Ayrshire & Arran Yearbook

Hoists and StairliftsCaledonian Care Systems, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire G73 1DRTel 0141 647 8654Ceiling Hoists, Stairlifts and Accessories

Holidays and Travel

Port Selma Lodges, Benderloch, Oban PA37 1QPTel 01631 720224Wheelchair-friendly luxury pine lodges with Full Disabled Accessoverlooking Ardmucknish Bay, 8 miles north of Oban.www.portselma.co.uk

Motoring

Blue Badge Network, 198 Wolverhampton St; Dudley DY1 1DZ Tel 01384 275001Charity for holders of Blue Badges living in the UK.www.bluebadgenetwork.org

Disabled Motorists Federation, Washington NE37 1JNTel 0191 416 3172Charitable federation for disabled motorists in the UKwww.dmfed.org.uk

Scooters & WheelchairsDFO (UK) Ltd, 17 Ashgrove Workshops, Kilwinning KA13 6PUTel 01294 550099Friendly 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 GroupMeet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1 – 4pm in the Scout Hall behind Henderson Church, Kilmarnock. CallCatherine 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 DobbiesGarden Centre, near Ayr. Contact Irene on 01292 478962

New Cumnock GroupLast Tuesday of each month from 6.30 pm at the Lochside HouseHotel in New Cumnock. Contact Caroline Duncan - 01290333846

Branch Social EveningFirst Thursday of the month at 6pm for 6.30pm prompt at theMenzies 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 9LZTel 0800 328 4143Suppliers of quality medical goods including specialist seatingand beds providing pressure care and postural support.www.andersonmedical.co.uk

Therapy & Pain ReliefThink and Heal, 2 Hamilton Street, Kilwinning, KA13 7AGTel 01294 550962Drug-free pain relief and natural products for body and mind.www.thinkandheal.com

When contacting these organisations please tell them thatyou 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.

Two Luxury Pine LodgesFULLY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLESelf-Catering from £250 a week

Set in a beautiful location onthe West Highland Coastline atBenderloch, near Oban. Each sleeps 4 people in 2 bedrooms (one with an en-suite wet room), large verandah, separate bathroom, and largekitchen/dining/living room.

Phone or fax for details:01631 720224

Email: willieorr@btinternet.comWebsite: www.portselma.co.uk

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