Dickie memorial fund is boosted thanks to students.

Nov 18 2011 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A CHARITY fund set up in memory of a popular teenager and his mum has been boosted further.

Students studying social care at Ayr College have donated £500 to the Dickie Memorial Fund.

Cash in the fund will go to the MS society in Ayrshire.

It comes after Robbie Dickie, 17, was tragically killed when he was hit by a car in September.

Robbie’s mum Helen died four years earlier from complications arising from MS.

Money in the Dickie Memorial Fund will be used to help young carers in Ayrshire.

The Ayr College students decided to hand over their hard earned cash to the fund having been touched by Robbie’s story.

Further fund raising is planned with already two supporters participating in the MS sponsored London to Paris cycle event in the spring of 2012.

Anyone who can help should contact 01294 558866 – the MS Ayrshire Resource Centre.

As all money donated is matched pound for pound by MS local funds, there is now more than £6000 available for grants to suitable applicants.

With the agreement of the family, applications are now invited from either young people affected by MS or from young people who act as carers for people with MS.

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common neurological disability in Scotland and is particularly prevalent in the west and Ayrshire.

Its cause is uncertain but it affects all ages including the young, especially girls and women.

A 12-year-old girl is the youngest member of the local branch.

The service in Ayrshire was established more than 40 years ago is very active with 440 members.

It provides emotional, practical and confidential assistance to people affected by MS including their carers through its trained voluntary support workers.

Last year it was able, with the continuing support of the Ayrshire community, to make local grants of £25,000 to people affected by MS.

For more information log on to www.msayrshire.com