View all news

MS Appeal wins generous support from John James Bristol Foundation

Press release issued: 22 January 2002

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
MS Appeal wins generous support from John James Bristol Foundation


The John James Bristol Foundation has today presented a cheque for more than £1/2 million towards the Multiple Sclerosis Nerve Centre Appeal.

The £1.25 million MS Nerve Centre Appeal is seeking to build a new Centre of Excellence, in partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust, to provide state of the art facilities for both the care of patients and as a base for ongoing research into multiple sclerosis.

Last April the fundraising campaign was launched by the Lord Mayor of Bristol and the President of the MS Nerve Centre Appeal, sports personality Alastair Hignell, who is himself an MS sufferer. Since the launch MS supporters, local businesses and helpers have been actively fundraising for the appeal and already raised more than £100,000 to date through a variety of events.

The MS Nerve Centre aims to address the needs of both patient care and disease orientated research by combining medical and social care as well as high quality clinical science all in one building. Plans have now been drawn up for the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed old stable block at Frenchay Hospital to provide new and improved facilities for the investigation, assessment, treatment and care of people with multiple sclerosis.

On the ground floor of the building there will be consultation and assessment rooms, a gymnasium for physiotherapy as well as other therapy areas and an information centre where an MS nurse and counsellor will be based. On the top floor there is space for laboratories and other research activities such as specialist studies and trials.

Joan Johnson, chairman of the John James Bristol Foundation, said: "The Foundation is delighted to support this worthwhile appeal which will give help and hope to MS sufferers and their families. Also, the Foundation hopes that its donation will unlock similar funds in support of this appeal."

John Simkins, chairman of the MS Nerve Centre Appeal, said: "This is fantastic news for the appeal and for patients, their families and staff involved in the care and treatment of MS in the area. We are truly grateful to the John James Bristol Foundation for their generosity and support. This donation, together with our other fundraising successes, means that we really are on our way to achieving our dream of building this new centre in Bristol. Subject to planning consent we expect to start on site this summer with completion in mid-2003."

Bristol University academic, Professor Neil Scolding, Burden Professor of Clinical Neurosciences at North Bristol NHS Trust, added: "Multiple sclerosis can be a devastating illness which can strike at any age. Sadly at present it is not curable but with careful nursing, physical and medical treatment we can make an enormous difference to patients' lives. The creation of a new - and we believe unique - Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Excellence where patients will be cared for and where research can be pursued will offer encouragement and hope to patients with MS throughout the South West."

Back to archive


Email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk
Copyright: 2001 The University of Bristol, UK
Updated: Tuesday, 22-Jan-2002 13:06:48 GMT

Edit this page