AN EAST Durham group set up to support people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been awarded a lottery grant to enable them to purchase a piece of specialist exercise equipment.

The MS Active group was set up with the help of East Durham Homes customer involvement officer Carole Tilley and meets fortnightly at Healthworks, in Easington Colliery, from 10.30am on Tuesday.

It is open to anyone who has MS or their families, and new members are always welcome.

Some of the group members had used a motomed exercise machine a few times as part of their physiotherapy at hospital and it helped them.

The machine is designed to keep people mobile and improves circulation in the user’s arms and legs to help prevent fluid building up.

The group applied the Awards for All grant ran by the Big Lottery Fund and was awarded £4,950 to buy the machine.

Joyce Lovack, from the MS Active group said: “We are over the moon at being awarded the grant and the group members are really looking forward to using the motomed machine.

“It’s not just the MS Active group who will be able to use it, the machine will also be available to other groups such as the stroke club and anyone else who thinks they may benefit will be able to book an appointment and use it in the Healthworks gym.”

Ms Tilley said: “I am really pleased that the group have been able to buy a motomed machine as it will be of great benefit to them all.”

For more information on the MS Active group contact Joyce Lovack on 0191-526-4531 or 07917-004-918.