A CAUSE close to the heart of a Lowestoft family has inspired them into organising a charity disco for people with Multiple Sclerosis.

The disco, which takes place on Saturday, March 3 at Waterside Park Holiday Camp in Corton, has been organised by Sally Blowers and her children, Jade Searby (the reigning Miss Lowestoft), Harley Searby and Phoenix Blowers, aged nine.

They decided to organise a series of events for the forthcoming year, starting on Saturday, with the finale to their fund-raising seeing Sally, Jade and Harley all taking part in a sky-dive in the summer.

'This cause means a lot to me and the family,' Mrs Blowers said. 'My dad Gordon Vernon suffers with the devastating illness and we are also hoping to raise awareness of the effects it has on sufferers and their families. 'Dad was born in Derbyshire but has lived here for all of his adult life and always worked in the local area until recently having to give up due to the MS. 'We have organised the disco to raise much need funds for the local branch of the MS society - the north Suffolk and District MS Society - who support local sufferers and provide them with days out and social activities. 'MS can be devastating to sufferers and their families so we felt it would be a great opportunity to raise awareness too,' she added.

Saturday's disco runs from 7.30pm until 12.30am, with tickets �5 each and under fives free.

'There will be a raffle on the night and so far we have had kind donations from Birds Eye, Thrigby Hall, Ipswich Town FC, free tickets for Quasar in Yarmouth, free smoothie vouchers from Crush in Lowestoft High Street, Sgt Peppers, Theatre Royal Norwich, Debbie Bird, who has donated a two-hour house clean from her cleaning business, and numerous friends and family,' Mrs Blowers added.

'Everyone is welcome to attend and raise money for this amazing charity who are very unsupported through the great work they do. Waterside Park have kindly donated their function room free of charge, and a big thank you to Chris for this.'

• For tickets call 07917 844154, companies or individuals wishing to donate raffle prizes can also contact this number.

FACTFILE

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common disease of the Central Nervous System, usually diagnosed in young adults. MS is not contagious. The cause of MS is not known.

• Around 100,000 people in the UK have MS. It affects two million more people.

• Sclerosis means scarring in the Central Nervous System and Multiple means that this may occur at more than one point.

• Scarring means that the myelin sheath, which protects nerves like insulation around an electrical wire, is damaged. A combination of environmental and genetic factors may lead our immune system to attack our own myelin.

• This damage alters the way messages are conducted to and from the brain. Both sensation and the control of muscles may be affected.

• MS can cause different symptoms in different people. Symptoms can come and go. Although there is no cure as yet, many symptoms can be relieved or treated.

• MS is complex, and has many symptoms.

• Locally, the North Suffolk & District MS Society covers the Waveney area embracing Lowestoft, Southwold, Beccles, Saxmundham, Bungay, Harleston and Halesworth.

• Formed in 1989 with currently about 90 plus members, with about 40 people meeting monthly - every second Wednesday at Wangford Community Centre at 7.30 pm. The branch also organises socials, outings, grants and support. Often meetings include information talks by MS professionals.

• Contact 01493 393999 or visit www2.mssociety.org.uk/branches/east_anglia/north_suffolk_and_district/