A PR Executive has raised more than £3,000 for a multiple sclerosis (MS) charity after being diagnosed with the condition herself.
Katie Macdonald, who works for Corby-based public relations company Ballyhoo PR, was diagnosed earlier this year with primary progressive MS. MS is a condition that affects the body’s central nervous system and causes the body’s immune system to attack myelin, a coating that insulates the nerve fibres. When myelin is damaged or destroyed it affects the nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord, causing life-changing symptoms such as fatigue, pain, numbness, cognitive issues and even paralysis. Following her diagnosis, Katie decided she wanted to do something proactive to raise money and awareness for the MS society so embarked on a challenge to walk or run 50 kilometres during the month of May – the #May50k.
The MS society is a charity that supports people living with MS as well as looking into further treatments in the hope of one day finding a cure. Throughout May, the charity teamed up with the MS International Federation to raise awareness of MS and launched the #May50k challenge to raise money for important research into better treatments, services and even a cure.
Katie, along with her family, friends and members of the Northamptonshire business community, took on the challenge together. Setting her original target at £200, Katie was overwhelmed when she hit £1,000 in just three days. In the end, she walked an incredible 100km and raised a fantastic £3,000!
Katie said: “Taking daily walks on the school run and around Pitsford Reservoir, Sywell Country Park and Irchester Park was not only good a good way to hit my target, it was also a great way to catch up with friends and family post lockdown and explain my diagnosis.
“I was overwhelmed at the support I received from everyone, especially from the local business community. The money I have raised will go towards vital research into hopefully finding a cure for MS.”
Emma Speirs, Director at Ballyhoo PR, said: “We are incredibly proud of Katie – not just for more than smashing her fundraising target – but for the bravery she has shown in receiving her diagnosis and immediately taking on a physical challenge like this to make a difference to other people living with the condition. She is a real inspiration!”
For more information on Ballyhoo PR, visit www.ballyhoo-pr.co.uk or follow @Ballyhoo_PR_ on Twitter and Facebook. To find out more about the MS Society or donate to the MS Society through Katie’s May 50K page, go to https://www.themay50k.com/fundraisers/katiemacdonald22474/uk.
