Why We Ride

What is MS?

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another.

Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving hope to people affected by the disease.

We Ride To

Support research to find a cure for MS.

Support treatment for those living with the disease right now.

Hand deliver funds to MS Society Groups across the country.

Raise awareness about MS while we travel the country.

Volunteer

Meet MS Society groups throughout the ride and volunteer with them on rest days.

Provide Financial Assistance

Support local MS Society groups across the country

Fund Research & National Projects

Support research projects to help #StopMS and national projects such as the MS Helpline.

Service Projects

Teams will volunteer on their rest days for local MS Society groups as well as meeting groups throughout the trip. We encourage active socials with groups, including cycling events at Odd Down in Bath and the Bendrigg Trust in Kendal.

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Home Modifications

Ramps, accessible bathroom modifications, stair lifts

Mental Health Needs

Support for mental health needs

Independent Living

Power chairs, Bioness devices

Physical Health Needs

Gym memberships, exercise session

Emergency Assistance

Unforeseen emergency situations

MS Helpline

Advice on medication, finding local support and understanding the diagnosis

Vehicle Modifications

Adaptive vehicle modifications

Wellness Programs

Support services

University College London

Most recently we have been able to help fund the first ever multi-arm, multi-stage trial for progressive MS called Octopus. Being carried out by lead researchers Professor Jeremy Chataway and Professor Mahesh Parmar, the trial will transform the way treatments are tested for progressive MS. It could deliver life-changing new treatments up to three times faster

University of Cardiff

In 2019, funding was put towards research by Professor Monica Busse into ways to help people with progressive MS get physically active. It is well known that physical activity and exercise are important in MS, helping to improve mobility, cognition and reducing fatigue. The project was to examine the optimum needs of individuals with progressive MS and develop and test a new web-based lifestyle programme called LEAP-MS.

University of Bristol

In 2017 and 2018 we helped fund research carried out by Dr Alistair Wilkins at the University of Bristol. The MS Society have decided reducing the uncertainty around MS progression is one of their top priorities and so the project is to see if cerebrospinal KIF levels can predict MS progression. The researchers want to develop a new way of measuring nerve damage which could lead to better predicting how someone’s MS could progress.