News - Cookstown Multiple Sclerosis Support Group MS Charity Tyrone Mid Ulster

Cookstown Multiple Sclerosis Help and Support Group

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The Cookstown Group enjoyed a great night out at Sculley's restaurant, Kildress for their Christmas outing on Dec 1st. We enjoyed an excellent meal and a good nights' entertainment.

The suspension of the MS Society's NI Council will have no effect on the running of the Cookstown MS Group as we are not affiliated to this society in any way. Full details from the BBC website

The oxygen treatments have been postponed until after Christmas because of the organisation and funds involved. The course is an intensive 5 day a week, 5 week treatment. More details will follow.

For the second year running, Cookstown MS Help and Support Group's work has been recognised by the Cookstown Civic Awards. The Cookstown MS Group itself won an Award in 2005. Denise McGorry, the group's chairperson, has been rewarded for exceptional work in 2006. More details and photos here.

Many thanks to the Tullylagan Vintage Owners Association for their donation of £700 to Cookstown MS Health and Support Group. Tullylagan Vintage Owners Association donated substantial sums to a number of local charities.

Cookstown MS Help and Support Group are off to Oxygen. Not the rock concert of course, but the Newry and Mourne M.S. Therapy Centre. Some members of the group are to try out their new oxygen treatment, which may have therapeutic benefits for individuals with M.S.The first trip is on Wednesday 18th October. Other members may try it too, depending on first impressions. For further information on Hyperbaric Oxygen, check out the Larne Oxygen Therapy Centre.

Our weekly meetings and therapy sessions on Thursday have recommenced at Derryloran Ind Estate. All are welcome. At a recent meeting it was decided to review membership fees. Members subscription will now pay £10 for the coming year. Carers annual fee is £5.
The details of the Christmas dinner has now been finalised. It will be held in Sculley's, Kildress on Friday 1st December 2006 at 7:30pm.
Congratulation to Dessie Keenan for his excellent charity walk for Action MS.
A shopping day trip to Belfast has been organised for carers of group members. This will be either Wednesday 15th or Tuesday 21st November. More details to follow.

A high level of strength and flexibility are not required for Tai Chi because it is based largely on technique. T' ai chi consists of slow, rhythmic body movements. T' ai Chi treatments for the Cookstown MS Group will begin in October. The treatments will be undertaken by Jarlath Conway. Jarlath will address the group on Thursday 12th October to explain more. Members of the group will report back on how effective the sessions have been.

Cookstown MS Help and Support Group will use the £954 grant from the Big lottery Fund to fund weekly tai chi classes. Fifty-eight-year-old member, Merdy Beattie, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis three years ago, is looking forward to beginning the classes.

“This grant is really useful as the Tai Chi will be so beneficial and give members the chance to do an activity together as a group, which is very important" click here for more.

Our highly successful fundraising event took place at the end of June in the Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown. Click for full details of Deal or No Deal event. Click for a full list of Cookstown MS Deal Or No Deal sponsors and their websites. For photos of the night click here.

Richard Hamilton and his friend Matthew Barr fasted for 24 hours to raise money for the Cookstown MS Help and Support Group. For the full details of this kind donation, click here.

The Group are having a funding event on Wed 28th June at the Greenvale hotel starting at 9pm. It's theme will be taken from Channel 4's 'Deal or no Deal'. The event will be compered by Seamus McNally. A large crowd is expected. Paul Cummings and his band will provide music following the game. Tickets are available now, priced £5. Please contact any committee member or contact us through the website for further information. It should be a fantastic evening!!

The quiz night on 30th March 2006 was a great success. Photos will be appearing in the gallery shortly.

Many thanks to all those who contributed to the "Grand National" fundraisers which were operating in pubs in Cookstown. The winners of the Grand National Draw which took place on Sat 8th April are 1st prize £100 Tom Creighton c/o Oldtown Inn 2nd prize £ 50 Emma Hunter c/o Dunleath Bookies 3rd prize £ 30 Maggie Bloomer c/o Cartwheel Bar 4th prize £ 20 Philip Dawson c/o Oldtown Inn

It's worth noting that the group takes a break during July-August, where the regular Thursday meetings are suspended.

In February, Asda was the venue for sponsored grocery packing. Children from local schools and colleges packed bags for shoppers. The children and Asda raised £960 for Cookstown MS.

Some of the group recently took part in a "Lifestyle Retraining Programme". It was run by the University of Ulster and aimed at coping with MS.

There are regular information nights, the last being on 29th September 2005, which was exceptionally well attended. The evening open to all and well advertised , included information on MS, sample of various therapies, guest speakers and information on fundraising.