Multiple Sclerosis can cause a variety of symptoms, including muscle weakness and abnormal muscle spasms, difficulty in moving, difficulties with coordination and balance, problems with speech or swallowing, visual impairment, fatigue, cognitive impairment, depression and acute pain. It can be a debilitative and crippling disease affecting not just the sufferer but their friends and family too. It is estimated that in the UK alone over 85,000 people battle with MS yet over 90% of the MS Society's income comes from individual donations or from sponsored events. Without the support these donations provide the society would be unable to continue funding its vital services or to invest in the research programmes that will one day hopefully bring about the cure for MS.

 www.mssociety.org.uk

East Anglia's Children's Hospices

East Anglia's Children's Hospices offer a range of services to support children and young people with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. Their approach to care is holistic and family-centred, an individual care plan is written for every child in agreement with their parents and their families, whilst the actual care and support is provided for both in the hospices, and in the family home. The boys first began raising money for EACH as schoolboys back in Norfolk and will be forever in awe of the dedication and support that it provides to countless families caring for children with life changing illnesses. However, at a cost of almost £5m a year, of which only a small proportion comes from statutory sources, voluntary income is once again absolutely vital.

www.each.org.uk