H.O.P.E. Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Neyland, a charity that provides oxygen treatment and other therapies for people suffering from multiple sclerosis, is looking to raise its profile in Pembrokeshire to boost its fundraising success. This will allow them to better support people in the county who live with the illness. A recent donation from Valero will be used to increase the charity's visibility and support volunteers that give up their time to help raise funds.

"Part of our problem is that we need to make ourselves better known in the community," said David Harries, a director of HOPE. "We are lucky to have people like Valero that fund us to some extent so that we can be visible to more people who might be able to use our services. We want people to know where we are, what we do, our phone number and email address."

HOPE recently asked Valero for help with the marketing costs for a big concert in June in St. David's Cathedral.

"Fundraising these days is much harder as purse strings are tight. You have to invest to fundraise as you have to put the money upfront. The £2,000 donation that Valero has given us means the centre now has a nest-egg for the costs of future fundraising events," added Mr. Harries.

Will James, Valero public affairs sssistant, added: "Valero takes its commitment to our community very seriously and we have always been keen to help charities help themselves. We hope that with this donation HOPE can reach more people with the excellent support and therapies that are available."

Recently celebrating its 25th anniversary, the HOPE MS Therapy Centre aims to relieve suffering for those with MS and their families. The primary therapy is hyperbaric oxygen, where end-users sit in a spherical steel chamber for an hour and breathe pure medical oxygen at double atmospheric pressure for a nominal period of one hour which enhances the healing process to alleviate some of the symptoms of MS.

Also available is neurological physiotherapy that assesses how a part of the body is affected by the nerve damage and then look at a programme of relevant physiotherapy.

The charity also provides a 'well-being therapy', which is a large lounge area that allows the end-users to relax and discuss their personal problems, from family to MS issues, to help them improve their view of life.

• The next major HOPE fundraising event is a Mid-Summer Concert on Saturday June 22, at 7.30 pm, in St. David's Cathedral with the Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir and guest artists.