'I’m doing this for mum'

There’s a coffee morning being held on Saturday in Guilsfield, but rather than being a run of the mill fundraiser, this one has a powerful motive behind it.

Eighteen-year-old Katie Lloyd (pictured) is organising the event in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society after her mum, Zo, was diagnosed with the condition 11 years ago.

The event is not just about raising money, the teenager is keen to raise awareness about what she, and many others experience when a close relative is living with MS.

“It’s great that Katie is doing this, but she is very keen to spread awareness and hopefully raise some money,” said Zo, from Guilsfield.

“I was officially diagnosed with MS 11 years ago after struggling with relapses since 1998. I was too scared to get a proper diagnosis and put my walking difficulties down to maybe a trapped nerve.

“Unfortunately, the MS gradually progressed and in 2006 after many tests, blood tests and MRI scans, I was given the MS diagnosis.

“Katie has been asked lots of questions by different people for quite some time now, as to what Multiple Sclerosis is. People get very confused between MS and ME and also how people with MS can be reasonably OK one day, but not the next, so Katie wanted to raise awareness of what MS is to try and help people’s confusions.”

The coffee morning takes place in the village’s Old School from 9am. Mr Tee, the ice cream man, will also be arriving around noon 12.