I am delighted to welcome you to the Eastbourne & South Wealden MS Website.

Our branch has one aim - to help all people affected by MS in Eastbourne, South Wealden, Seaford and in Post Codes BN20 to BN27.
If you have MS, or you are a Young Carer or Adult Carer, or a family member or friend, we will do everything possible to help you and support you. We are a dedicated group of volunteers made up mainly of people with MS or Carers. You can find out all about us and the services we offer by clicking on About Us.

We have our own MS Community Centre in Eastbourne: Telephone 01323 439447

Our Centre is open 10.30 - 3.30 Mon - Fri

I hope you will find our website both interesting and useful. Please do not hesitate to contact us. Whatever the problem, you are not alone. Simply click on Contact us and you will find the names of all of our MS Community Team or telephone us on the above number.

Thank you for visiting our website

Joyce Milton Chair

The above event is being organised by the Foresters Friendly Society to raise funds, which will be divided between the Eastbourne and Brighton branches.

Everyone will meet at Brighton pier for 1.00pm to ‘stroll’ along the prom to Hove lagoon and back.

A street collection along the prom will take place at the same time so anyone who feels unable to walk the distance will be more than welcome to hold a collecting bucket or tin.

If a donation of £5.00 is received before 1st August a voucher will be issued for fish & chips on the pier after the walk, from this £1.50 will go straight to MS. If anyone just wants to get sponsorship that’s OK too.

For sponsor forms or further information please contact Trudy Weller on 01273 681978.

You are all urged to come along and enjoy this event – you can walk the route, use a wheelchair or just help collect money – whatever you choose, please come along and support us on the day.

THE branch marked the end of an era when Bernard Curtis stepped down after seven years in office.

At the Society's AGM at Our Lady of Ransom Parish Centre, more than 70 members were present as warm tributes were paid to Bernard's long and outstanding service.

During his time as chairman the branch established the Resource Centre, generated community support to acquire a new minibus, negotiated the funding of Vicky, our specialist nurse, and received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. This latter honour, perhaps more than anything, underlined the standing achieved by the branch under Bernard's leadership.

In a heartfelt final report to members, Bernard voiced regret that the branch had not received support from the national society for its ambitions to move to larger premises. The concerns of members for the independence of the branch were voiced when Barbara Williams, the MS Society's Director of Operations, answered questions.

Mrs Williams was reassuring in recognising the importance of successful branches like ours, but was also frank in stating that the Society is looking carefully at the branch network and the deployment of resources.

The Society's patron, Nigel Waterson, and Councillor Greg Szanto were among those who praised Bernard's contribution. Bernard's wife, Carol, also gave a touching personal insight to his devotion to the MS cause.

Bernard paid his own tribute to Margaret Barrett, his 'right hand woman' during his term as chairman, and who has also stepped down from the committee, though she remains the Society's day services manager.

Presentations were made to Bernard and Margaret, and also to Greg and Clare Szanto who adopted the Society as their charity during the second year of their Mayoralty, which ended last month.

The MS Society's Shining Star award was made to retiring vice-chairman Ian Westgate for his work within the branch and as a champion of access for the disabled.

The work of volunteers John Simmons, Peter and Mary Oakshott and Susan Austin was also recognised with the presentation of certificates.