Local MP helps put MS on the map for MS Week 2011

Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North and Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for MS, has thrown her support behind the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s nationwide interactive tour which made a pit-stop in Newcastle on Tuesday (17 May).

A colourful video booth is travelling the country to encourage people to share their personal experiences on the neurological condition, and generally show their support for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Catherine was one of the first people in Newcastle to record a 30 second film clip which will be uploaded to the Society’s new interactive website- www.mapms.org.uk to celebrate MS Week (23-29 May).

When completed the eye-catching tour will have visited Derry, Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Cardiff and London, in a bid to put MS on the map and raise awareness of the most common neurological condition affecting young adults.

A third of people know someone affected by MS*, and an estimated 100,000 people have the condition in the UK, however, there’s currently no cure and the cause is uncertain.

Catherine McKinnell MP said:

“The map MS roadshow is a great idea to get people thinking and talking about this potentially devastating condition which affects around 100,000 people in the UK.”

“Everyone can show their support for MS Week 2011 by recording a short 30 second video, and uploading it to the website- I’ve done mine. Together we can put MS on the map.”

Catherine also attended the MS Week reception in parliament on Wednesday May 18th in support of MS Week.