Written evidence submitted by Frank Sudlow

Impact of Covid-19 on the charity sector

I live with MS and was diagnosed in 1998.  The closure of my local MS Therapy Centre is having a profound effect on my life.

I attend an MS Therapy Centre each week where I can get Oxygen Therapy and Physiotherapy and have access to an adapted gym.

As a result of the shutdown due to Covid 19 I can no longer travel to the MS Therapy Centre and the Centre is closed with the following results:

I have an increasing number of spasms which require drug therapy from my GP and on one extremely bad day required me to be taken by ambulance to the local A&E hospital.

I am extremely fatigued.  Normally the Oxygen Therapy will give me the energy I need to operate normally for most of the week.  It is now 4 weeks since I last had Oxygen Therapy and I am struggling to walk very far at all, certainly less than 1 mile.  We live by the sea and I used to regularly walk to the harbour and down to the end of the pier (about 2 miles) with breaks.  I can now only just make it to the harbour (less than 1 mile) with breaks.  I need my Oxygen Therapy.

I am also isolated.  Visiting the centre was a highlight of my week when I would make contact with others living with MS.  Now I only have my wife for company but at least she is with me.  Many of my friends are living alone.  I don’t know how they manage.  I do hope the centre opens again soon.