Monday 4th February 2008

Howls of laughter could be heard coming from the scout hall on Mosside Road, Shawlands on Saturday night. Local theatre company; Baldy Bane was putting on a post Christmas show in aid of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. The show ‘Tam O’Shanter’s Bairns’ wove a magical tale around Tam’s horse Meg who had lost her tail whilst Tam had been spying on some witches in the woods late one night. What followed was a hilarious tale with characters such as Griselda the wicked witch, wolves, Mac orang-utans and of course Tam’s Bairns.

Whilst the show was exceptionally funny the main focus of the night was to raise funds and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. After the show Alison Couston one of the company directors gave an account of why this campaign is so close to her heart. Alison’s daughter Eilean who is now eighteen was diagnosed with the condition several years ago.

Although Alison’s daughter has a milder form of muscular dystrophy she continually faces obstacles on a daily basis. The simplest things that young people take for granted are a massive challenge to Eilean. Difficulty with mobility is only one of the challenges Eilean frequently faces.

‘The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the only UK charity focusing on all muscular dystrophies and allied disorders. As a charity it provides people who have neuromuscular conditions, and their families, with information and advice about their conditions and ways in which living with it can be made easier

There are 60 different types of muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions which are characterised by the loss of muscle strength, as progressive muscle wasting or nerve deterioration occurs.’
www.muscular-dystrophy.org

The show along with lots of fundraising activities such as raffles, quizzes, guess the weight of the cake and a chocolate fountain managed to raise over £1200. Support in the form of fundraising is essential as the campaign itself funds (with some contribution from the NHS)13 MDC Care Advisors who are based in clinics around the country. They are on hand to give advice and support to people who are affected by neuromuscular conditions.

Continued support from people like Alison and Baldy Bane are essential so that research can continue to make advances and offer hope to thousands. It will also help to sustain MDC’s care services, which include expert medical information and the provision of the best up-to-date practical advice.

If you would like to find out more about getting involved, campaigning, news, research, branches, membership, frequently asked questions, volunteering, fundraising and what is happening in your region then log on to: www.muscular-dystrophy.org.

Finishing on a humorous note if you’re wondering what a Mac orang-utan is it’s an orang-utan dressed in a kilt!