BACK in 1955, a group of friends wanted to do something to support their loved ones.
The small bunch knew people close to them who were suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) – a neurological condition thought to affect about 100,000 people in the UK.
Today those like-minded people, known as the Hull, Beverley Borough and Holderness MS Society, have swelled to about 350.
One of the founders present at the inaugural meeting in November 1955 was Wilfred Aitken, whose wife Iris had MS.
Now their daughter Margaret Thompson, 65, stands at the helm and is chairwoman of the local branch.
"I was two when mum was diagnosed, so it wasn't anything strange to me – it is all I knew," she said.
"My dad used to run a shop in Hawthorn Avenue and we lived above it.
"But when things got more difficult for mum, we had to move.
"I grew up with her being disabled and helped to look after her, so it is just something I've always known.
"I looked after her until she died."
Margaret's experience as a child – helping do things for her mum – means she knows what other families with MS are going through.
"We try to do stuff to support families, and particularly children, living with MS," she said.
"Quite often kids are involved with caring for members of their family.
"But people with MS are still very independent.
"I remember my mum picking me up from school in what, back then, was called an 'invalid chair'.
"She used to ride it on the road – I don't think I was supposed to ride in it with her though, but I did."
The Hull and districts branch has MS sufferers, non-sufferers and medical professionals among its members.
They meet weekly in north Hull to hear updates on the national MS Society charity, discuss fundraising ideas and enjoying exercise classes.
The drop-in has been running about ten years and is held at North Hull Community Centre, in 37th Avenue.
Margaret said: "We have physiotherapists from the hospital come for the morning and work with people on complementary therapies like massage and reflexology.
"Jane Fowler, the MS nurse, answers questions and is there if people need her.
"Actually, one of the most beneficial things for us is having two dedicated MS nurses in the region.
"That has helped enormously, especially for people newly- diagnosed."
The group, although large, is more like a family, with everyone helping out and mucking in.
But Margaret admits it can sometimes be hard for new people to join.
Not only can it be intimidating to enter a room full of people who already know each other, but some newly diagnosed patients and their loved ones struggle to see other MS sufferers.
"It can be hard for them if they are newly diagnosed, because they don't want to see what might happen," said Margaret.
"With MS being a progressive illness, they might not want to see other people in the latter stages.
"It takes them time, but eventually they usually do join the branch."
To raise money, the branch has a charity shop at 421 Endike Lane, in north Hull, which has been open about 15 years.
Members also hold regular collection days and fundraising events.
"We're very active and hold lots of different things throughout the year," said Margaret.
"We have 'cake breaks' and collections.
"It is phenomenal what we get from people when we do collections – our last big one at Princes Quay raised almost £3,000.
"We're eternally grateful for those donations.
"A woman who works in Hull raised nearly £4,000 for us because her mum had MS.
"She just contacted us out of the blue and said she wanted to do something.
"I'm always amazed at how generous people are."
Unfortunately, 14 members were due to take part in a fundraising skydive on Sunday, but the event had to be cancelled because of bad weather. But they are hoping to reschedule soon.
The branch collects money to be used locally, but regularly makes donations to the national MS Society. In the 58 years the branch has been running, and the 60 years the national MS Society has been going, thousands of pounds have been raised in Hull to go towards research on the condition.
Reflecting back on the branch's history, Margaret said: "Sixty years is a long time when you start thinking about it – a lot has happened and changed for people.
"The medical side of things is far better now than it was, but you still hear awful stories of people being poorly for a long time before they are diagnosed.
"Before he died, my dad used to get upset and frustrated about 'why haven't we found a cure?' – of all the money being ploughed into research, he couldn't understand why no one really knew what caused MS.
"They know what happens, but not how and why it starts in one person and not another.
"But you keep going and do your bit by raising money – hoping one day they figure it out."
Anyone wishing to find out more can visit www.mssociety.org.uk or call into the Tuesday drop-in at North Hull Community Centre between 10am and 2.30pm.
