Take a leaf out of Chloe’s book this Giving Tuesday and make steps for Charity.

Giving Tuesday takes place on May 5th and is a day of global unity, where people can support their communities by donating their time, donating or raising funds or by being a voice.

Local charity, Merlin MS Centre, is calling on the public to join in on Giving Tuesday, or any day, to help raise vital funds for the charity.

People are asked to run online challenges, use their daily exercise to create a fundraising challenge or to just shop online in support of the charity.

Eight Year old Chloe, from St Austell, was inspired by Captain Tom Moore’s 100 laps of his garden and decided to do 100 walks to raise money for the Merlin MS Centre. Chloe’s daily walk takes her through just over 1.25 miles of rough clay trails so her 100 walks will also add up to over 100 miles.

Chloe said: “I’m doing 100 walks for Merlin because it is a really important place. We need to make sure it can keeping looking after people once this pandemic is over.”

Stuck for ideas? Take part in our 10 exercises in 10 days challenge which can be found on the Merlin MS Centre Facebook page or get in contact with [email protected] .

Donation can be made via the Facebook page or via www.justgiving.com/campaign/merlincovid19 or via BACS Merlin MS Centre sort code 40-16-06 account 41408046.

You can also support the charity for free by shopping through the following sites amazon smile, easy fundraising and give as you live.

Clincal lead Melissa King said: “It is a very difficult and challenging time for everyone in our communities, but especially vulnerable people living with long-term health conditions who are having to self-isolate for three months. We know this is a worrying time, for our service users who are particularly at high risk, but also for many of our volunteers who are older.

“The Charity had already faced some difficult financial circumstances in 2019 and had reduced its staff overhead by half and made other cost-savings. The business development team embarked on a turnaround strategy for 2020 to diversify its income streams and deliver a balanced budget. Due to some unprecedented issues around a capital project the cash reserves are perilously low. With COVID-19 our methods of generating income have come to an abrupt halt

“We have a number of clients who fit into our high priority who may require daily contact, but even where there are people with support networks, the expertise of our clinical team will be important in giving advice on physical and mental well-being – this is essential for anyone living with chronic conditions and particularly at this time when social contact is dramatically reduced. Sadly, as time goes on and the virus spreads support networks may also diminish.

“This project does not include core costs of CEO or Finance/administrator as they are not directly benefitting service users. To ensure the future of the Charity, it is important not to lose the expert skills and experience of our team. That is why we are asking for support to take us through this difficult time and we are delighted that Chloe has taken up the challenge and hope that she will inspire others to join her”

The Merlin MS Centre is an independent Cornish charity located in mid-Cornwall.

Merlin MS Centre is the only purpose built facility in Cornwall that provides a comprehensive range of subsidised and affordable therapies for those whose lives are affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The services the charity provides are also available to those with other neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Stroke, ME Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)