School assiatant raises more than £6000 for the Haven centre

Dec 21 2011 by Nicola Findlay, East Kilbride News

A HAIRMYRES woman who was diagnosed with MS has raised over £6000 for a centre offering support and complimentary therapies.

Arlene Clark, a clerical assistant at Mossneuk Primary, decided to give something back to the Haven centre in Blantyre who have given her invaluable support since she was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS.

Arlene was diagnosed with the condition on February 25 this year, less than a month before her 50th birthday.

However, Arlene is determined not to let the condition hold her back and has vowed to keep working.

And with the help of the Haven, she and her husband, Jim, and son Gary and daughter Nicole have been more able to cope with the effects.

Arlene told the News: “I have been suffering symptoms for the last few years and I knew something was wrong.

“I eventually went for a private consultation and the doctor did a lumber puncture and I was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS.

“My mobility is affected and I can only walk short distances with sticks and the rest of the time I am in a wheelchair.

“However, I am determined to work through it and will carry on going to work at Mossneuk Primary every day because I love it so much. Everyone at work has been fantastic.”

Arlene first found out about the Haven through a friend and she booked an appointment with Pamela Brady.

Arlene went on: “Pamela has been an absolute star and Mhairi Coutts, my MS nurse has also been brilliant.”

The Haven not only offered support and advice but has also given Arlene a boost through complementary therapies and putting her in contact with people who can help her.

Arlene continued: “Everyone at the Haven has been so fantastic with me.

“I decided to organise the fundraising night on November 19 in Ballerup Hall and so far have raised over £6,000 with more to come in.

“I set up a committee to organise the night back in September and we had several meetings to plan the event.

“It is amazing that we have raised so much and I never though for a moment we would raise anywhere near that.

“Everyone was so generous and we had some outstanding raffle prizes including hospitality tickets for Hamilton Accies, a four-ball at St Andrews with lunch and £200 worth of vouchers for Coast.”

Family and friends rallied around as soon as they heard Arlene was planning the fundraising night and a friend she has only seen three times in her adult life travelled up, with her husband, from England with other family and friends travelling from Jersey and Ireland.

“A special thanks also goes to Mark Horner of Legends who provided the bar, linen for tables, a wonderful buffet and also a very large donation.

“Peter Gough was the music man and kept everyone dancing all night.

“I would like to thank everyone who donated fabulous raffle prizes, who are too many to mention and all those who attended the evening,” Arlene added.