Charity ball in Dunfermline after husband's life-changing diagnosis

The event is being organised by Diane Steedman, who has done several fundraisers for the charity over the years.

Diane’s husband, Ian, was diagnosed with MS in 2018.

The condition causes your immune system to attack your nerves, and this causes a range of symptoms.

Common symptoms include issues with vision, tiredness, and walking or balance problems.

Diane’s husband, Ian, was diagnosed with MS in 2018. (Image: Diane Steedman)

Since Ian’s diagnosis, Diane has held race night fundraisers, cake sales, and afternoon teas to raise funds for MS Society Scotland.

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Now, Diane is preparing to host her biggest event yet with the charity ball that will be held in Dunfermline’s Carnegie Conference Centre.

The event starts at 6.30pm with a drinks reception followed by a three-course gala dinner, entertainment will be by Scotland Rocks and guest speaker Fife Provost Jim Leishman will be in attendance.

She is looking for support from local businesses, from sponsoring the event itself, to buying tickets.

Diane is also offering corporate businesses a table of ten discount on full ticket price.

Diane has organised several fundraisers for the years. (Image: Diane Steedman)

With the ball being Diane’s biggest fundraiser to date, she’s hoping to raise more than £10,000 for the charity.

“It makes a huge difference to them," she said.

"Figures for people living with MS have actually increased in Scotland.”

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According to the MS Society, there are over 17,000 people with MS in Scotland. This makes MS more common in Scotland than most other countries in the world. 

Talking about Ian’s diagnosis, Diane commented: “Ian’s mum had MS going back to about the 70s, but she was diagnosed with MS when Ian would have been about 12.

“Then Marion [Ian’s mother] was bedridden by the time he was 16.”

Diane is preparing to host her biggest event yet. (Image: Diane Steedman)

After he was diagnosed, Diane commented: “He had to medically retire from his employment, he was an open reach engineer, I worked full time then at the bank.

“The first year was very up and down.

“The way MS is, it’s very unpredictable. You never know from one day to one hour what you’re going to be like."

“Life has completely changed for us," she added.

The charity ball will take place on Saturday, October 5.

If you require further information you should contact Diane by emailing: steedmanwest@outlook.com