MS Research and the Women who Support Us
Between 2000 and 2009 she also headed up the Bristol Clinical Research Support Unit, a DH funded post supporting research activities in all Bristol’s hospital and community NHS Trusts.
Over the years her MS Research team has initiated successful bids for several million pounds in research funding from the EU, EPSRC, NIHR and a variety of charitable funds. She took over the role of Chairman for the charity in 2011 and hopes to grow its funding potential and research portfolio to encompass new areas of MS Research, Treatment & Education.
Mrs Ollie Pagington – Trustee
Ollie was born and raised in Bristol and has enjoyed various jobs in the local area. Ollie is now retired but continues to help her husband Brian manage his MS and give her spare time to MS Research as well as spending time with their grandchildren, baking and reading.
Both Ollie and Brian volunteer their time selflessly to help us raise funds for research as well as raise awareness into the daily repercussions of living with MS. Whether it be sitting for hours in supermarket foyers handing out information or dancing a highland fling on Burns Night their contribution to “seeing the back of MS” has been priceless.
Mrs Laurence Robb – Trustee
Laurence is an ex-teacher who came to England from France, married and never returned to her native country. She retired from teaching in 1995 but carried on working as a volunteer for Multiple Sclerosis causes with the MS Research Unit of Bristol University from home as well as volunteering to participate in research projects on Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). She could not retire from MS.
She has tirelessly campaigned with local disabled groups on issues like access and services and successfully campaigned to support the Bristol MS Unit and to help to introduce and fund a post of Neurology Specialist Physiotherapist in Bath. This was the start of the Community Neuro and Stroke Service (now part of Virgin Care). She manages her personal care budget and MS mobility issues daily. She frequently contributes to the MS Research social media sites, paints and enjoys visiting landscaped gardens.