Around 90 people are in the Farnborough and District Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society which, its members say, is far fewer than the number who have MS in the area.
 
So the branch is opening its annual free Christmas lunch to non-members and anyone who suffers from or is affected by the neurological condition.

Around three-quarters of the branch’s members have the condition.

No-one knows exactly how many people in the country have it.

Its symptoms can vary from numbness to paralysis.

It is not fatal but can leave the body more susceptible things such as pneumonia or kidney dysfunction. 

Secretary Les Hardwick joined the Farnborough branch in 1972, after his mother, who had MS, died of pneumonia.

Mr Hardwick, 64, of Stourhead Close, Farnborough, said: “It’s for anyone in the area that’s suffering from or affected by MS.”

Mr Hardwick explained it is each member’s choice how involved they want to be with the branch.

He added: “Our members can come and go. If they need us we are always there.”
His first role with the group was treasurer.

He said: “I was in church and I heard someone praying for a treasurer and I thought I could do that.

“I’m not expert but my head can get round figures.”

Since then he has been chairman and is now secretary.

The Farnborough branch, which was founded in 1970, has two monthly meetings — one at St Peters Church Hall, Frimley from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on the second Tuesday  and one at Weybourne Village Hall from 1pm to 3pm on the third Tuesday.

Mr Hardwick is interested in getting speakers to come to the lunches for informal discussions on all matters.

He added he might approach John Pohorely, the specialist MS nurse at Frimley Park Hospital and one of around only 200 across the country, to speak at a lunch.
 
Mr Hardwick added that people should not get their hopes up about news a drug called Alemtuzumab has alleviated the symptoms of MS sufferers during trials. 

He said he was not very familiar with Alemtuzumab but said: “We’ve had so many cures of this sort come to nothing that we try not to be too optimistic when we hear of a new one.”

As well as the lunches the branch organises days out for all members.

Mr Hardwick said: “We need people to drive our minibus, which is specially built for people with mobility diffi-culties, as many of our members have them.

“They can’t drive themselves to the meetings but also the events we organise.

“Earlier this year, we went out on the Basingstoke Canal on a barge that was specially designed to take wheelchair users.”

“It was a lot of fun for everyone, even the able bodied of us who were crewing it.”
 
The society’s chairman, Pat Everard, joined 15 years ago when she took over from her husband.

She and her daughter have catered for the Christmas lunch in years past, when around 40 members have attended.

She said: “We’ve catered in years gone by but if more people come this year like we’re hoping we’ll need outside help!”

The branch’s 2008 Christmas lunch will be at St Peter’s Parish Hall, Frimley, on Tuesday December 9. Anyone in the area who either suffers from or is affected by MS is welcome. Numbers are limited due to space so entrance is by invitation.

Those who wish to go should contact Mrs Everard on 01252 655417 or Mr Hardwick on 01252 690868 for a free invitation. The deadline for applying is Sunday.