Multiple sclerosis (MS) research at Imperial was boosted last week when a fundraiser donated £20,000 to the laboratory of Professor Richard Reynolds.

Nigel Furmston, whose wife Sharon suffers from MS, raised £25,000 for MS research with the help of friends on the wind-swept Lambourne golf course in Buckinghamshire. Of the total raised, £20,000 has been donated to Professor Reynolds to help fund vital basic research into MS, while the remaining funds will support the Amersham and Chesham MS Society branch, of which Sharon is a member.

The Furmstons have supported Professor Reynolds since Sharon’s MS diagnosis four years ago. “It was a huge shock when my wife was diagnosed with MS,” Nigel said.  “However, I watched with admiration as, rather than give in to it, she did something about it.

“The money is split between Imperial College London, as I feel passionate about supporting their pioneering research into neurological conditions, and my local MS branch, chaired by Andy Holtom who provides invaluable support for local MS sufferers.”

Professor Reynolds and his group are researching new ways to slow down or halt the progressive accumulation of disability that often occurs in MS, which is currently untreatable. Recent advances made by the group have shown a strong association between inflammation surrounding the brain and a younger age at death, suggesting ongoing inflammation is an important contributor to increasing disability.

Professor Reynolds explains how MS affects the brain with the aid of a cuddly neuron

The group is investigating several inflammatory proteins as drug targets to reduce the rate of patient deterioration. The donated funds will help to further investigate these proteins, among other research ventures, to provide crucial information for the development of effective drugs for progressive MS. 

The golf day Nigel organised for the first time in 2010 to raise money for MS patient support and research has now become an annual event. It has been supported by several sponsors including Nigel’s local Waitrose branch, BMW Mini, Yorkshire Building Society, and local businesses.

Over the previous four years, Nigel has raised around £50,000 for research at Imperial, which has funded the projects of two PhD students. This year’s total was the highest yet.

Article author Eleanor Browne, a PhD student in Professor Reynolds' lab

“I started with 60 golfers and raised £6,000. It has now grown to 180 raising £25,000!” Nigel says. “It’s all about having fun, and as the same faces keep returning each year, I think it works. There is a prize and a mention for everyone even if it’s the most balls in the water, but it’s the guests that make the event.”

Next year’s event is already booked for Thursday 25th June at Lambourne Golf Club, and anyone interested in coming for the day to play golf or just joining for the evening dinner may contact nfurmston@peak-uk.com.