For one match only the Newport Gwent Dragons will wear Orange shirts when they take on the Blues on Wednesday 27th December, kick off 3.10pm. This match, which is bound to be a sell out is dedicated to the MS Society Wales/Cymru and MS Community of Wales.
The Dragons aim is to raise the awareness of Multiple Sclerosis and the MS Society of Wales/Cymru. To demonstrate their commitment The Dragons will take to the pitch in Orange shirts for the Welsh derby clash showing their support for the charity that helps people with MS and people who are affected with MS.
Special editions of only 40 shirts have been made by The Dragons official kit suppliers KooGa. All of the shirts will be uniquely numbered 1/40, 2/40 etc with 30 available for supporters to make bids for and all monies raised will go to the MS Society Wales/Cymru. All of the shirts for auction with be signed by The Dragons 22 involved in the game against the Blues. The shirt is predominantly orange which represents the MS Society; however, the design also incorporates the colours of the four premier clubs within The Dragons region, green for Ebbw Vale, black for Cross Keys, white for Bedwas and amber for Newport. Supporters can contact John Samuel MS Cymru Fundraiser direct on 029 2078 6676 / 07917244108 to make an offer on a shirt.
John Samuel said "Support from The Dragons means a great deal to us, they are helping us raise the awareness of this devastating condition and as a result raising some of the funds we so desperately need to keep MS Society Wales/Cymru going. Without the backing of The Dragons and our other supporters we cannot give the MS Community of Wales the support they deserve. MS is not a charity that springs to the forefront of peoples minds when considering a charity to support, however, there are 4,000 people with MS in Wales and over 10,000 people affected by MS. By becoming involved with The Dragons we hope to raise awareness in the hope that people might consider us for a charitable donation in the future. The target figure we have in mind to raise is £20,000 and hopefully with the help of The Dragons supporters we will meet this target, having the support of The Dragons and their supporters will give the MS Community of Wales a huge boost of confidence."
Colin Charvis models the Dragons Orange Shirt
Two members of The Dragons squad have personal attachment to the MS Society and this is a charity that is close to their hearts. Gareth Baber and Colin Charvis have both lost members of their family to the disease.
Speaking about his experience Gareth Baber said, "At the age of 17 I can remember being asked the question by a friend … 'why is your dad in a wheelchair and what is wrong with his legs?' My response was that he had multiple sclerosis and had done for about seven years. However, even though my family was affected by this disease on a daily basis my knowledge of it was very limited. Over the next few years I met numbers of people in similar situations who either cared for people with or were directly affected by this disease. As my knowledge of the disease grew I realised that it was people of all ages who are affected and that there was no rhyme or reason why one person or another contracted the condition. It was these factors which prompted my father to gain involvement in the MS Society primarily to make people aware of it as a disease but also to provide support for sufferers and their families. As a player with the Newport Gwent Dragons and I am sure that I speak for all the players and coaches, I am proud to be associated with the MS Society of Wales and thankful that through doing something I love I can raise awareness of the debilitating disease and the work of the MS Society."
The Dragons players themselves decided that whatever charity they chose to support they wanted to make a big statement and raise as much awareness as possible and were more than happy to back the MS Society.
"Several people connected to the team have links to or know people who have multiple sclerosis and specifically two of the players had a parent affected by it and we were therefore keen to lend our support to raise awareness of the MS Society," commented Commercial Director Gethin Jenkins. "After speaking with the players they were enthusiastic for us to make a statement with the charity we would support and they came up with this one. The big thing that has struck us is that it is a disease which strikes young adults in their 20's and 30's and affects over 4,000 people in Wales. Our sponsors have been supportive of the initiative and we have no doubt that supporters will do the same. While the disease affects over 4,000 people in Wales, it is not a charity that receives wide spread support and therefore The Dragons felt by us changing our strip and bringing awareness of the disease and charity it would go a long way to creating awareness of the good work the society does in providing help for sufferers and their families."
Colin Charvis concluded, "MS affected my family very severely some time ago and at the time it was a very difficult thing to live with. As a disease a lot of people seem to be in the dark as to what it is and if we at The Dragons get the small opportunity to highlight and bring awareness about the disease then we are more than happy to do that."
Information from MS Society Wales/Cymru.
The MS Society is the UK's largest charity supporting everyone affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) - the most common disabling neurological conditions affecting young adults. Symptoms range from loss of sight and mobility, through depression, fatigue, and spasticity, which means living with MS, can be very tough.
The MS Society Wales/Cymru has been set up to give people affected by MS in Wales a voice, to give them support and information about the help that is out there, and to try to tackle some of the health and social care problems that people living with MS face every day.
Year 2006 marks the inauguration of the new Cardiff Headquarters of the Multiple Sclerosis Society Wales (MS Wales), the same year in which we are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first MS Society branch in Wales.
Over 4,000 people in Wales have MS
MS is the most common Neurological disorder affecting young adults and currently there is no cure.
The MS Society has 2,000 members and 20 branches throughout Wales which are organised by volunteers.
Our objectives are to provide essential support for those people with MS. To fund and promote the best possible research, to provide high quality information, to raise the standard of MS care by working in partnership with professionals and to promote equitable service to help people with MS retain control of their lives and be fully involved in every aspect of our work. We provide help today and hope for tomorrow.
