Didsbury Golf Club’s Captain Donates £4,183 to MS Society
David Sheppard, the recent past captain of Didsbury Golf Club, has generously donated a cheque for £4,183 to Andy Green, the community fundraiser for the MS Society.
A Cause Close to the Heart
David said: “The reason for me choosing the MS Society for my Captain’s Charity was because it’s something that is very close to my heart following my wife’s daughter, Anita, being diagnosed with the condition 15 years ago.
“In her case, it started with optic neuritis (problems with her vision) and headaches, followed a few days later by her falling out of her car after driving to York to visit a friend, with no feeling down her left side.
“This continued over the weekend while she attended a music festival with her friends thinking she was drunk due to not being able to walk in a straight line despite not having had a drink.
“She attended hospital with one side of her body now numb and after a few weeks was finally given the MS diagnosis.
“Anita has since taken up climbing and now competes as a Para climber for Great Britain, obtaining silver and bronze medals, as a way to keep her body strong and try to combat the symptoms, which can include fatigue, loss of balance and dizziness, pain, stiffness or spasms, tremors, thinking and memory problems amongst others.”
Fundraising Success
“The two main fundraising events were a 72-hole challenge and a Charity Golf Day.
“I would like to say a big thank you to a few people, firstly past captain Martin Murray, our current captain Martin Caddick and Lee Highton for joining me on the day and undertaking the 72-hole challenge with me.
“Secondly, Andrew Murray and Caroline, who without their support and guidance the Charity Golf Day may not have taken place or been such a success.
“Finally, I would like to thank all the members of Didsbury Golf Club and the guests and friends that supported, not only myself but also the charity throughout the year. Without their support, charities like the MS Society would not be able to do what they do in not only supporting people who have been diagnosed but also their families and finally putting money into research to look for a cure.”
The MS Society’s Gratitude
Andy added: “All of us at the MS Society would like to pass on our huge thanks to David and all members of Didsbury Golf Club for raising such a staggering amount throughout the year in aid of the charity and funding our vital work.
“Right now, we’re funding dozens of projects to help improve diagnosis, treatments, and services for everyone and with the help provided by charity fundraising, we’re making groundbreaking discoveries.
“The funds raised by Didsbury Golf Club can pay for our research teams to analyse the genetic code of someone with MS. This could help to discover how genes are involved in the progression of MS.
“Also, the funds would help fund slides for a microscope that uses a laser to cut out single cells. By looking at these individual cells, researchers can investigate what proteins they produce. They can also compare what proteins are produced under different conditions. This could give us a better understanding of what causes the destruction of nerve cells seen in people with MS.”
Get Involved
The MS Society has a Texas Scramble offering for all golf clubs in the UK. For more information on running your own Texas Scramble or adopting the MS Society as your next chosen charity, email andy.green@mssociety.org.uk.
