“We did it!” – meet our inspiring fundraisers

Are you or a loved one looking for a new challenge for 2025? Why not help make a difference? We speak to two inspirational fundraisers who stepped out of their comfort zones this year

Karen Joseph took on her first open-water swim

I was diagnosed with MS in 1991 when I was 25. However, I had been experiencing symptoms six to seven years before that. My first symptoms were numbness and tingling in my fingertips and seeing double when I played tennis or basketball. I have always enjoyed playing sports so receiving the diagnosis came as a real shock. Before that I had played basketball for England school girls for four years. I eventually stopped playing basketball in 1992 as I had to come off court too often when I became hot. Also, as a nurse I couldn’t feel pulses so would have to ask someone else to do them for me.

I have always enjoyed swimming and now that I am 58 and less mobile, swimming makes me feel ‘normal’. I saw an email about the Swim Serpentine challenge on the MS-UK website and thought that this was something I could do that was a challenge, but also realistic. While I was confident that with training I could cover the distance, I was very nervous about swimming in cold open water in September. I applied in May 2024 and received a place through the charity in June on #TeamPurple.

I have walked 5k for the MS Society in the past but find it much easier to swim now. I must admit that I found asking friends and family for donations quite difficult, but everybody was very generous.

I was already swimming twice a week in the local pool doing about 40 lengths, but I had never swum a mile, which corresponds to 64 lengths of the pool. I also followed the Swim Serpentine training programme that was sent to us. However, despite easily covering the distance in the pool I was very concerned as I had never swum that distance in open water.

We stayed in London the night before and I was very nervous about the swim. However, the day itself turned out to be really enjoyable! Everyone was so friendly and encouraging. We walked through Hyde Park. Standing opposite the start and finish line I noticed the ‘Team Purple’ banners from MS-UK charity. They were so welcoming and friendly and really looked after me.

A happy day

The organisation of Swim Serpentine was also excellent. As I stated on my entry form that I had a disability and that I may need help getting in and out of the water, two volunteers introduced themselves and asked what kind of help I would need. I was walking with a crutch and a man introduced himself to me as Nick and kindly walked with me to the start. I handed him my crutch and jumped in. He was also there at the finish to hand me the crutch and walk me to my family.

Cold waters

The swim was tougher than I thought, not because of the distance but because of the temperature of the water. I got cramp in my calves, but it soon wore off. All the swimmers were so supportive of each other, shouting words of encouragement that really helped. It was tough swimming a single circuit round the lake, but I spoke to some fellow swimmers who had done the two-mile challenge! It was so interesting to hear other people’s stories and many of the swimmers had done the Swim Serpentine challenge more than once.

My sense of relief after finishing the swim changed to an overwhelming feeling of achievement. At the time I couldn’t imagine doing it again. During the swim I was kicked and elbowed. But I have just signed up to do it again in 2025 where I would like to complete it in less than one hour. The swim was one of the best things I have ever done.

To anyone with MS reading this, I’d say do a challenge that pushes you but be realistic. Remember people are very supportive. Whatever your disability there is always something that you can do and there are people to support and encourage you.

The sky’s the limit

Victoria Collins did her first skydive for MS-UK this year

I’d had nerve-related issues for some time prior to my MS diagnosis. I first knew there might be an underlying issue was when the Beast from the East hit in 2018. One day my right foot went completely numb. I assumed this was happening because of the extreme cold. However, the numb feeling spread into my entire right leg, up into my groin and bottom and eventually was in my entire left leg and foot too.

When my diagnosis was made it was like everything made sense. I had a reason for all my issues, and I had a chance at managing things, and improving my quality of life again. It took me quite some time to come to terms with it, though. With the fact I had MS, with how it would affect me and that it would be with me for the rest of my life. MS-UK really helped with this.

I’ve wanted to do a charity skydive for some time but it hasn’t come to fruition. However, when the opportunity to skydive for MS-UK came up, I had to go for it.

I stumbled across MS-UK at a really awful time after my diagnosis and the breakdown of my relationship at the time. They guided me back to feeling like who I was before my MS. With their support I realised MS did not diminish my self-worth or take away from me as a person.

 So, it just felt right that MS- UK were the ones that I should do it for. I wanted to give back and thank them for all the support they gave me and help them to continue their amazing work for others with MS who might need them.

I also didn’t want to get to a point where my MS prevented me doing a skydive, so decided to seize the opportunity!

Skydiving with MS

On arrival at Skydive Buzz in Dunkeswell, I was welcomed, weighed and my medical form checked. As I have MS I had to have a form signed by my neurologist to agree I was safe to jump.

After four solo jumpers left the plane, I knew it was my turn. One moment I was looking out into the cloudy sky, the next I was out of the plane and free falling.

This happened very quickly, my stomach didn’t drop at all and for a few seconds I was somewhat disoriented and slightly damp! I could feel how cold it was and the air pressure on my face from the speed I was free falling. My instructor Lex tapped me on the shoulder and I put my arms out – this is when I really began to enjoy the experience. I put my thumbs up to Lex to show thing everything was okay and we ‘pose’ for the camera.

As we come down through the clouds the view is incredible. I was freefalling at 120mph, it was exhilarating, breath-taking and like nothing else I have ever experienced.

Being newly diagnosed with MS is intimidating and it is hard to know what lies in your future. It is perfectly natural to feel worried and uncertain about what will happen and how you were cope. However, you will find your way through it to a point where you manage to live with your condition.  It is also normal to struggle at times. I have moments even now when I get overwhelmed by things. Please reach out to others, connect with the wider MS community and remember you are not alone with your MS even when it feels like you are the only one who feels the way you do right now.

If you’d like to fundraise next year, head to our fundraising page or contact our fundraising team on Lucy@ms-uk.org