A MULTIPLE sclerosis charity in Nailsea fears sufferers will miss out on life-changing treatments if it cannot raise cash to provide a transport service.

A MULTIPLE sclerosis charity in Nailsea fears sufferers will miss out on life-changing treatments if it cannot raise cash to provide a transport service.

The MS Therapy Centre in Southfield Road applied to North Somerset Council for a £1,000 grant so it could pay the taxi costs for poorer patients, but the authority turned the application down.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system and causes symptoms ranging from slurred speech and lack of co-ordination to wastage of muscles, paralysis and loss of vision.

Many people suffering from MS are unable to walk and use wheelchairs to get around, making driving impossible, and patients often use taxis to get to and from the centre.

The charity was hoping to be able to pay for the transport costs of patients who cannot afford regular taxi trips, but without the grant it does not have enough cash.

Fund-raising manager, Tim Lewis, said: "It'll affect some of the people who want to come here.

"A lot of people need help with transport costs because their income is very low.

"Some people won't be able to access our treatments because they won't be able to afford it."

Kind volunteers from the Rotary Club and Nailsea and District Community Transport often ferry patients to and from the centre, but they also need cash to cover their expenses.

Staff at the centre are now hoping to raise the money themselves and are appealing for people to help.

Tim said: "It's a thriving place, we're always busy. The centre has a considerable effect on the lives of people who benefit from the therapies and we want to help more people to access the different treatments."

There is no cure for MS, but a number of treatments are known to ease the symptoms of the condition and improve the lives of sufferers.

More than 300 people from all over the South West regularly access the different treatments available at the centre and staff need to raise around £200,000 a year to keep the facility running.

Staff at the centre offer acupuncture, reflexology, physiotherapy, counselling and advice as well as sessions in the oxygen chamber which ease a number of symptoms including helping with balance, co-ordination and poor eye sight.

Anyone interested in donating to the cause or helping to fund-raise can call Tim Lewis on 01275 858806 or 858577 or email him at mstherapy@nsea.wanadoo.co.uk