Actor Alun is new MS ambassador
NORTH EAST STAR BACKING SOCIETY’S £100M APPEAL
NORTH East actor Alun Armstrong, star of hit television programmes such as New Tricks and Dark Angel, is the latest celebrity to be named an MS Society Ambassador.
The 73-year-old County Durhamborn star of film, stage and screen – he played the step-father of 19th century serial killer Mary Ann Cotton in ITV drama Dark Angel – is a dedicated supporter of the MS Society, and works hard to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Alun’s older sister, Elaine, has lived with the relapsing form of the condition for more than 40 years.
There are more than 100,000 people living with MS in the UK, with a further one in four likely to know someone affected. The condition damages nerves in your body and makes it harder to do everyday things, like walk, talk, eat and think.
Alun – who joins the MS Society’s nine-strong Ambassador team – says: “I got involved helping my sister at events at her local MS Society Group and over time I’ve become an ardent supporter of the charity and its battle to find a breakthrough, so being made an ambassador is a great honour. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to follow a career that I love and it just seems right to remember those who’ve been less fortunate, and offer a bit of help.
“Over the years I’ve met so many extraordinary people affected by MS who are so brave and dignified despite the problems that the condition presents them. It’s a really humbling experience. As an ambassador I’ll have my work cut out trying to emulate these remarkable people.”
Over the years, Alun has presented at the annual MS Society Awards ceremony – which recognises achievements across the MS community – and has joined a group of people living with MS to demonstrate outside Parliament against the unfair benefits assessment process.
“He is now backing the MS Society’s biggest and most ambitious appeal, Stop MS, which needs to raise £100million to find treatments for everybody with MS.
Alun says: “Stopping MS, as far as me and my sister are concerned, would be way better than winning the lottery. It would be a dream come true.
“There’s a real buzz around MS at the moment – we’re on the verge of something big happening.”
Nick Moberly, chief executive of the MS Society, said: “We’re over the moon to have Alun on board as our new Ambassador.
“The MS Society is here for everyone affected by MS, and our Ambassadors play a vital role supporting our work. l For more information about the talented and passionate supporters and celebrities who volunteer their time and energy to help stop MS, visit www. mssociety.org.uk/ambassadors