Carla’s MS Marathon for MS-UK – 25 in 25!

As we leave July behind, another month of marathon challenges draw to a close in aid of our virtual fundraising event My MS Marathon, the UK’s most accessible marathon!

This year swimming superstar Carla Bartch signed up to take part and challenged herself to swim 25 lengths in a 25m pool. She saw our event featured in our magazine New Pathways and was also encouraged by her good friend, who volunteers for our Peer Pod. Read Carla’s story on living with MS and why she felt she needed to do something.

“Due to my participation in so many sports at various competitive levels, I knew that, even after having Covid for three weeks in February 2022, that something was wrong with me.

“I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) on 29 September 2022 after extensive blood work, two MRIs, two CT scans, x-rays, and a lumbar puncture. I began to feel tired of explaining why I continue to need sticks to walk or why my legs are wobbly (I am not drunk I have MS!). I still don’t know what I am going through myself and what to expect as this is all new to me, too.

“The only things I am starting to be able to do again, is yoga, cycling and I am slowly trying to swim again and get my strength and endurance up. I needed to take on this challenge for my own sense of wellbeing. I decided to swim 25 lengths in a 25m pool in my local Southwark leisure centre. I will not be fast, but I will be slow and steady then go for food after! Thank all of you for your kind support.”

Carla has smashed her £100 target and so far raised a brilliant £178 for MS-UK’s helpline service through her participation. A huge thank you and well done from all of us here at MS-UK for taking the plunge to do something amazing to help others affected by MS!

Carla’s Just Giving page is https://www.justgiving.com/page/carlas25in25july2023