Bay of Plenty MS Society in 'crisis', faces closure

New Bay of Plenty MS Society president Sharon Hitchcock is calling for help to turn the suffering charitable organisation around from a "crisis". Photo / file

The Bay of Plenty Multiple Sclerosis Society is on the brink of closure as it faces a $20,000 debt.

Financial losses over the past 18 months have left the charitable organisation with the $20,000 debt, forcing it to let go of its field officers. Interim arrangements have been made for people with MS in the Bay of Plenty to access advice and support from MS Waikato.

Sharon Hitchcock has been brought in as the MS society's new president to help. Hitchcock has experience working in and with charitable organisations and was the former chair of the Tauranga Community Foodbank until late last year.

Hitchcock said the potential disestablishment of the society has come as a shock to members and associated organisations.

A new committee has been formed and Hitchcock urged people to help the society as it worked back towards stability.

"We are appealing for donations and voluntary support to get us over this hump," Hitchcock said.

"We are putting new systems in place for financial reporting and we are gathering more professional people around us to restore confidence in the society."

The Bay of Plenty MS Society has 236 members and has been operating since 2004. It provides essential support for patients' social, emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing.

The society needs $30,000 to run each year and, up until "this current crisis", it has been operating successfully with additional support and grants from charitable organisations such as Lotto, TECT, The Lion Foundation and BayTrust.

"Unfortunately, while demand for our services has increased our income hasn't risen to match this need," Hitchcock said.

"Our aim is to keep people with MS engaged in their community, working and contributing for as long as possible. We help them gain the confidence to manage their lives well with MS."

Over time, MS can lead to severe disability and may trigger other issues, including cognitive impairment.

"It's an unfortunate fact that MS, more often than not, leads to loss of employment and a decline in standard of living. The society is here to help people through these changes and to enable them to remain in their own homes," Hitchcock said.

If you would like to help the society, you can do so via:

- Donation
- Gifting a targeted donation to pay a field worker for eight hours a week in the short term
- Become a member ($40 a year) or $20 with community services card
- Sign up as a committee member – an experienced treasurer is urgently needed
- Volunteer to help with the annual national appeal in September. World MS Day is in May.
- Attend the Bay of Plenty annual general meeting in June

Donations and membership subscriptions can be made via the Bay of Plenty MS Society's website page. More information can also be found on the society's Facebook page or by emailing admin@bopms.co.nz.