Long term volunteering and fundraising with Stephen

Stephen has been supporting the MS Trust through fundraising and volunteering since 2013. Here, he tells us a bit about his experiences

My name is Stephen I am 75 years old. I have been active as a fundraiser for charities for 27 years, including a tandem skydive, a zip slide, and abseiling – including Twickenham, Battersea Power Station and Guys Hospital!

I started supporting the MS Trust after our daughter Amanda was diagnosed with MS in 2013. Initially I started collecting for the Trust in supermarkets. I have also organised a kite flying fundraiser and carol singing.

A walk around Goodwood racecourse was a good event to raise funds, I did this with my wife Barbara, and I managed to get some good photos other MS Trust fundraisers taking part

There was dropping children's teddy bears with a parachute from a kite at a school in Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City, later I got thank you letters from some of the children with drawings of me

We held a MS garden party in 2024 and have another booked for July 2025
and expect about 20 people, we will have coffee/tea/wine and cakes maybe a few games as we have a big garden, you could still have a good garden party if your garden is small, just get a few friends round!

I sold three big kites and a sewing machine this helped with another £170
Since 2017 I have raised £4452 for the MS Trust.

As well as fundraising activities, I have helped out as a volunteer in the MS Trust office in Letchworth. Whenever they are organising a big fundraising or awareness drive, they appreciate some administrative help, and I live close by.

I also have four sewing machines as I make items for MS and other things such as bags books and leather items, and enjoy photography, wine, gardening and bookbinding.

Supporting the MS Trust is good fun, I would recommend anyone to have a go and get involved. Now I’m looking forward for good weather for our July garden party. Cheers!

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