A FAMILY has raised over £1,000 for a Multiple Sclerosis charity after their daughter was diagnosed with the condition.

Mary Lanigan, of Broad Oak, Woodford Green, hosted her family’s second annual cake break earlier this month, raising over £850 for the MS Society.

The 66-year-old’s daughter Katherine was diagnosed with MS in 2012 when she was 35.

Mrs Lanigan said: “We’re a very close family, and it was such a critical and important time for us when Katherine was diagnosed.

“It has been very difficult – no mother should have to worry about their child like that.

“But she hasn’t let it stop her and she still lives a very happy and fulfilled life, working hard at her job and caring for her two daughters.”

Katherine, 39, first started to notice things were not quite right when her coordination started to fail her.

She said: “What I was saying wasn’t matching up with what I was thinking - I couldn’t make phone calls because no one could understand me.

“In the process of being diagnosed, I had a second relapse where I lost feeling in both my legs for six months.

“I used to wear pumps at work, and they would fall off without me noticing while I walked down the corridor.

“MS is unpredictable and I also have a very stressful but rewarding job, which means I have to be careful not to push myself too hard.

“It’s difficult, but I manage.”

Mrs Lewton's mum Mary got involved with the MS Society in 2015, organising the family’s first cake break this time last year at Katherine’s house in Broad Oak.

She said: “Katherine has had such wonderful support from doctors and the local community.

“So if there’s one little thing we can do to give something back, it’s raising funds for MS research.”

This year’s cake break smashed last year’s fundraising total of £600 and was attended by over 50 neighbours, members of family and friends.

Mrs Lanigan added: “It was a lovely sunny day and we raised more than last year, which is fantastic.

“I cannot express how proud I am of Katherine, so I am touched at how grateful everyone has been with their donations.

“We’re not heroes, we’re just getting on with things, but if we can help out at the same time, that’s great.”

For more information on the MS Society or to donate, see the website.

https://www.mssociety.org.uk/