Harleston cafe goes orange to raise funds for rare brain disease
For immediate release: Tuesday 4 March 2014
Harleston café goes orange to raise funds for rare brain disease
Café No.5 in Harleston, Norfolk1, will be decked in orange bunting and balloons during March to raise awareness about multiple system atrophy2 (MSA).
Throughout MSA Awareness Month (March 2014), No. 5 will be donating proceeds from cakes, pancakes, running a raffle and holding a special fundraising ‘bake-off’ for the Multiple System Atrophy Trust3 (MSA Trust).
MSA is a rare neurological disease that affects men and women, usually in their late 50s. The disease causes cells in the brain to shrink which results in problems with balance, movement and automatic bodily functions such as speech, bladder and blood pressure control. There is no known cause or cure for the disease and eventually some people can end up trapped in their own bodies.
The MSA Trust is the only UK charity that supports people affected by MSA and their families and carers. The Trust funds three specialist nurses, a support line and is the primary UK funder of research into the treatment and causes of MSA.
Gracie Hughes, who works at Café No.5, and whose mother Helen has MSA, said today:
“I can see first-hand how devastating MSA is and I want to do everything I can to raise awareness and funds. My mum used to work at this café and it seems fitting to use this place to raise funds for the terrible disease that she now has.
“While our aim is to raise awareness and money, we also hope people will enjoy our delicious treats and pancakes. We’ll also be donating 50p from every special and dessert sold. Come in and see and why not get involved with our special bake-off too?!”
Katie Heyward, Head of Fundraising at the MSA Trust, added:
“It’s fantastic that Café No.5 is using MSA Awareness Month to raise resources for the Trust. Every little bit helps and we’ll be using any money raised to support the work of our three specialist nurses. Having a rare disease like MSA can be very isolating so it’s essential that our nurses and support line continue to support individuals affected by the disease and their families and carers.”
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Contact:
MSA Trust – Franca Tranza, franca.tranza@msatrust.org.uk, 07718 426076
Katie Heyward, katie.heyward@msatrust.org.uk, 07787 241555
Gracie Hughes, 07906 922929
Notes to editors:
1 Café No. 5, 5 London Road Harleston Norfolk
2 More information about the MSA Trust can be found on our website
3 Please click here for more information on MSA
