History of the Bailiwick of Guernsey Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society

The first meeting of the Guernsey Branch of the Society was in October 1976, with eight people present. Membership now numbers about 120.

The Branch Chairman is  Peter Woodward, Liz Hendry is our Support officer, Martin Ozanne is our Equipment officer and Gareth Le Page is our Secretary.

Our patrons are J N van Leuven QC and Colin Fallaize MBE. Our Medical Liaison Officer, Dr Gilian Turner.

In 32 years, the Bailiwick branch which covers the Channel Islands of Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm, has gone from strength to strength but relies on a dedicated committee and tremendous support from the community.

In 2004, a team of 50 Guernsey residents took part in one of the most succesful one off fundraising events the Channel Islands have ever seen.  The team of 17 rowers and 35 support crew broke the world record for rowing from London to Paris and raised sufficient money to fund an MS nurse for the Island for five years.  The MS nurse, along with the MS physio provided by the States, is helping to transform the support available for people affected by MS in the Bailiwick.

Our aim is to help local people with MS and to provide support for carers in all ways possible, including providing equipment, social events, counselling, or sometimes just by providing a listening ear.