A GROUP of fundraisers have taken the plunge to kick off Swindon’s MS Awareness Week.

The Swindon MS Society Support Group is overseeing the town’s festivities, which aim to inform the people of the support available to those with the condition, as well as raising money to push forward their work.

Four members of the group kicked off the commemorations by completing a charity skydive yesterday.

Lin Wilson, Debbie Crabb, Brian Reeves and Leanne Haddral were the participants who jumped from 10,000ft, in Wanborough.

Rose Reeves, in charge of the group’s fundraising, said: “It is a great chance to make people aware of the illness which can strike people of any age.

“There are different severities of MS with older people usually being affected the worst.

“Although there are many young people who have the condition and it is a disability which makes a drastic change to everyone who has it.”

On Thursday, the society will be holding a workshop at Grange Drive Community Centre, in Stratton St Margaret, while they’ll also be visiting health group Seqol’s Maple Court centre, in Moredon.

Swindon’s MS Awareness Week activities will come to an end with a sponsored walk at Lydiard Park on Saturday. The event, open to the public, will begin at 2pm with donations to the society being sought.

Rose said: “All are welcome to take part and we’ll be running a barbecue, at around 4pm, after the walk.”

Swindon MS Society Support Group invests their funds in improving the lives of those with the condition.

“We try to make life easier for people with MS and those who care for them. As it is important to realise that MS has a knock on affect for carers too,” said Rose.

The support group has a committee of 10 volunteers and will be using the awareness week as an attempt to recruit more helpers.

“We would love to welcome additional people. We are particularly keen to recruit those who can help with the transport services we provide,” Rose added.

For more information about the group, to make a donation or take part in the sponsored walk call 07771 367671 or email fundraiser@swindonms.co.uk.