Local business raises over £2000 for charity

For immediate release: Tuesday 24 November 2015

The Multiple System Atrophy Trust (MSA Trust) was delighted to receive a cheque today (24/11) for £2,151 from their charity partner, Employer Services Limited (esl)¹, a payroll and HR business, based in Brentwood, Essex.

Virginia Freeman, esl’s Director of Commercial Development said:

“When Andrew, the partner of one of our employees was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy two years ago, we were very impressed with the support he and his family received from the MSA Trust. Therefore when it came to choosing a charity partner this year, the Trust was top of our list”.

“Our employees have been very creative in their fundraising efforts, they’ve done 10ks; hosted tea parties and sold raffle tickets and I’m really proud they have raised so much money and 2015 isn’t over yet.”

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurological disease that leads to premature death – it causes brain cells to shrink resulting in severe problems with multiple bodily functions. People with MSA often end up in need of 24/7 care, doubly incontinent, and in some cases unable to communicate, swallow or move.

Some people with MSA say it feels like the disease traps them in their own bodies. There is no known cause or cure for MSA, which strikes at random, usually when people are in their fifties.

Andrew Hulkes, who has been living with MSA said:

“It certainly was a magnificent effort from all of the staff from esl to raise so much and words cannot express how touched I am they did this for me and others with MSA. When you are supported by an MSA Nurse Specialist like Samantha, you realise she and others like her can only operate because of the efforts of people like those who work at esl. It becomes very easy to make the link between money donated and benefit received: all very humbling.”

Joan Smith, Head of Fundraising at the MSA Trust, added:

“esl has done us proud and raised a phenomenal amount. We are so grateful. We rely entirely on voluntary donations and without the support of companies like esl and their staff, we would be unable to continue our vital services. Thank you so much to everyone at esl.”

The MSA Trust is the UK and Ireland’s leading charity supporting people affected by MSA. The Trust relies entirely on voluntary donations and its services are free of charge – they include MSA Nurse Specialists, a support group network and an email and telephone support service.

―   ENDS   ―

Notes to editors:

Information about esl:

¹ Statement from the beginning of 2015: esl is passionate about delivering a ‘real’ service, specialising in understanding our clients’ business and providing tailored Payroll and HR solutions, adding value and working proactively to ensure we continue to provide a service of the highest standard. Our clients choose us for our people, principles and professionalism as well as our full range of Payroll, HR and Business Services incorporating the latest technology to deliver a high quality and cost effective service.

The esl team:

Contacts:

Franca Tranza: franca.tranza@msatrust.org.uk, 0333 323 4591, 0776 5273812
Head of Communications

Joan Smith: joan.smith@msatrust.org.uk, 0203 621 1349
Head of Fundraising

esl Employer Services:

Emily Hughes, 01277 230656, 07788 151814
Digital Marketing Co-ordinator