Boost for MS sufferers and Town's schools

Funding for an MS specialist nurse and further IT equipment for every school in the world's first Garden City - two major grants agreed at the Heritage Foundation's Board of Management meeting in January, will help hundreds, if not thousands of people.

With around 570 people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis in North Herts and an estimated third of these living in Letchworth Garden City, the Foundation decided that a NHS MS specialist nurse would give vital assistance to sufferers, including advising, informing and guiding them through the health and social care system - from diagnosis right through to severe disability.

The first NHS MS specialist nurse was appointed in Liverpool in 1995. There are now over 150 nationwide - but this is only half way to the national target total.

The MS Trust successfully applied for help for half the total training costs for two nurses over a three year period - about £5,000.

Nearly £30,000 has been earmarked for wireless projectors and Tablet PC's and attaching networking equipment for any school in LGC that can match fund the cost of one set of equipment - around £3,300.

The equipment essentially provides the same functions as the Interactive Whiteboards and projectors, which are very popular in schools and were heavily funded by the Foundation about two years ago. However, the new kit allows increased flexibility and mobility in the classrooms and elsewhere in the school, as well as technical advances.

Stuart Kenny, Director General of the Heritage Foundation, said: "These two grants - one to help those who suffer from MS and the other to advance the education of our school pupils - sit very comfortably with our charitable objectives and we are delighted to help."