The Friends of MS-UK Awards 2023 are announced!

This year, we say a huge thank you to some very special people who’ve gone above and beyond and helped MS-UK in some amazing ways

We launched the Friends of MS-UK Awards back in 2016 to recognise and thank the people who have gone the extra mile and made the important work we do possible.

Now in its eighth year, this year’s awards presented us with a very tough choice because there were so many great contenders. But the special five have been selected – read on to meet them!

The Boland Family

This amazing family first started supporting MS-UK when Heidi ran the London Marathon in 2015 for her cousin who lives with multiple sclerosis. Support from them all has grown bigger year-on-year since then and we now have at least four family members who fly over from the USA to run the London Marathon each year to raise vital funds for MS-UK. Collectively they have all raised over £50,000, a massive amount of money that has made a huge difference to our charity and the MS community we support.

Sarah Cross

Sarah first came to MS-UK as a client and despite living with MS has always brought a bright and inspiring mindset that inspires others. From day one she has acted as a champion of MS-UK by actively encouraging others to use our services, welcoming newcomers with kindness and support.

Over the years she has shared her experience of MS with the MS community. In addition, she has also taken part in many fundraising activities, with them not just being a tremendous achievement, but also a valuable financial contribution which has helped sustain the charity and helped us support even more people affected by MS.

Most recently she became an official Peer Support volunteer, hosting regular online sessions that have been invaluable in our aim to help people affected by MS live happier and healthier lives and feel less isolated.

Will Clarkson

Will first came to MS-UK back in 2014 when he ran the London Marathon, but more recently he ran in 2022. From just these two events he has raised an amazing £21,500 in support of MS-UK and the work that we do.

In 2018, he introduced nine runners from his workplace who ran the London Marathon and collectively raised £20,000.

Most recently he approached us with an incredible fundraising opportunity, which has seen him enter an impressive 60 runners into the 2024 London Marathon and guaranteeing a minimum income of £210,000. These funds will help sustain the charity and allow us to continue to support people living with multiple sclerosis.

We are incredibly grateful for his time, support and the opportunities he has brought to us.

Colchester Rugby Club

Colchester Rugby Club first began supporting MS-UK in 2018 when we were invited to take a stand at their annual fireworks display. Since then we have developed a fantastic relationship and a Charity of the Year partnership that continues to this day.

During that time they have donated an amazing £7,700 and helped us raise awareness of multiple sclerosis and the charity with their own supporters. More recently in 2022 and 2023, they have facilitated free use of their pitch for the Big Purple Games and we always appreciate how they have gone above and beyond when hosting these events for us.

John Mills

John first came to MS-UK not long after his MS diagnosis in May 2018 when he took part in one of our mindfulness courses. He began fundraising through his workplace by hosting a fun day. Having already run the Colchester Half Marathon, more recently he ran the London Marathon in 2022 and hosted a quiz, which has collectively raised over £10,000.

In addition to his fundraising efforts, he has also dedicated a lot of time to share his experience of living with MS and help us raise awareness of the condition. He has shared his story at the MS-UK Ball, in our magazine and in blogs, as well as participating in a number of our online training sessions targeted at a variety of industries and professionals ensuring that awareness of MS is spread far and wide.

Tom Cutts

Tom was introduced to MS-UK from an awareness day at a local supermarket back in 2018 and has been an invaluable and exemplary supporter of our charity ever since.

Tom raised a spectacular £10,000 by running the London Marathon for us in 2019. He has since introduced family members and friends to fundraise too, all have raised significant amounts for MS-UK.

Tom has also volunteered his time to support MS-UK in many ways including sharing his MS story, being a guest speaker at events, volunteering at multiple fundraising events, as well as launching and hosting our Young Person’s Peer Pod.

Tom is always willing, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and caring to every single person he encounters while representing MS-UK. The success and smooth running of these events would not have been possible without Tom. We are pleased to acknowledge his fantastic support for many years.