Newsletter 1st Quarter 2025
Click here to download a pdf version of the newsletter
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Image Description: A smiling group of 4 people dressed in orange MSNZ t-shirts. (L-R): WMS president Steve McCloskey with his wife WMS Communications & Fundraiser Suzie Linton, Lindsay Watson and his daughter Ciana |
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On Sunday 16 February some of us headed to Wellington to challenge ourselves and raise awareness and funds for Wellington MS in the Southern Cross Wellington Round the Bays 2025 (SCRTB). Lindsay Watson was the star of the show, supported by his daughter Ciana. Lindsay stormed the fundraising too, raising over $1100 through his fundraising page. Overall, our team raised over $1615. A special thank you to Taylor Property Plus who had eleven of their team participating. A few other people joined through our team but raced on their own. Please let us know if you or one of your family would be interested in getting involved with our team next year, as we need to decide whether we can repeat and grow this fundraiser in the future. Learn more: https://mswellington.org.nz/about-us/new-news-page/we-made-it-southern-cross-round-the-bays-2025/ |
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P.S. It's not too late to support our team or any of its members.
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Welcome Philippa, new Lead Community Advisor |
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| Image description: Philippa Scott is smiling, and wears glasses and has long strawberry-blonde colour hair | ||
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It's wonderful that so many of you have already had the opportunity to meet Philippa, our new Lead Community Advisor, who joined us late last year. Philippa is learning the ropes really well and has lots of great ideas for the future. Unfortunately Lacey Reedy left us early in 2025 to take up a new opportunity at the Cancer Society, although the good news is a new Community Advisor has been recruited and will join us shortly. |
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Join us for a cuppa on Global MS Awareness Day |
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Image description: An official image for Global MS Awareness Day shows 3 people and a child marking the day. |
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We would love to mark Global MS Awareness Day together this year and have booked a space at the Collective Community Hub in Johnsonville from 10am - 12 noon, Friday 30 May 2025. Would you like to join us for some morning tea? We're asking that those who are able to bring a plate to share or make a gold coin donation. We really want to hear from you about what we should do on the day, so please get in touch if you have ideas about what you would like at this event. Places at the morning tea are limited so please RSVP no later than 23 May 2025 if you intend to come. Read more: https://mswellington.org.nz/about-us/new-news-page/join-us-for-a-cuppa-on-global-ms-awareness-day/ |
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Frédéric Robichon - Running the Wellington Ultramarathon for WMS |
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Image description: A screenshot of Frédéric's fundraising page for the WUUK25 on the Grassrootz platform. |
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Frédéric Robichon is going to fundraise for Wellington MS when he runs the Wellington Ultramarathon (WUUK25) on 12 July 2025. Frederic is the husband of MS Researcher Dr Katharina Robichon, who is a regular attendee at our AGMs and helps with our fundraisers. We met Katharina and her colleagues through our Patron Anne La Flamme and we're very grateful for all that team do for us - they've spoken at AGMs, run regular bake sales and given hands-on support at our quiz nights. It's been a gamechanger, because our team is so small. We're very grateful that Frédéric has offered to fundraise for us at the Wellington Ultramarathon. If you're in the fortunate position to do so please make a donation at https://wuu2k25.grassrootz.com/wellington-ms/frederic-robichon |
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Whaikaha, The Ministry of Disabled People, is calling for expressions of interest to join Working Groups they are planning to set up to help with the refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy. The current strategy is nearly 10 years old, so it is time to do a refresh. They are seeking interest from disabled people, including people with MS, by tomorrow 11 March. There will be a payment for meeting preparation, attendance and community engagement. |
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Grants, bequests & donations |
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We're very grateful to everyone who supports our vital service, helping WMS to resource its free, mobile service, which enables PwMS to live their best lives. A big thank you to all those who have provided a grant or donation in the last few months:
We also received a generous bequest from the Estate of DR Dunn. |
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Disability Support Services: Consultation with the MS Community |
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If you would like to have your say about the changes to the Disability Support Service but aren't able to make your own submission then this is a great opportunity for you to have your say. MSNZ are holding two webinars on Wednesday 12 March that will allow you to get involved. |
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2025 AGM |
Bangers to Bluff |
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Please mark your diary: this year's AGM will be held on Saturday 17 May 2025 at the Cossie Club, Logan St, Upper Hutt. Please arrive by 10am as the meeting will start at 10.30am sharp. We will put the agenda and papers on our website once available. |
The Bangers will be making their way through the country on 'roads less travelled' again this March, raising funds for MSNZ and regional societies. |
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