Batchen Street to turn orange for MS Awareness Week
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ONE of Elgin's main shopping streets will have a new look next week.
Independent businesses are getting involved with a campaign from Moray's MS Society group by going orange.
The event, which will see fresh bunting, flowers, displays, t-shirts furnish Batchen Street, is being run for MS Awareness Week.
MS Awareness Week starts on Monday, April 24 and will run until Sunday, April 30.
On Batchen Street, Bijoux, AB&S estate agents, Bay Tree Florists , Grant Smith Law Practice, Sirology, Pencil Me In, Golden Cuts and Manna will be getting involved.
Support will not be isolated to Elgin either, with The Blue Violet Boutique in Keith and a Hopeman business taking part.
Barbara McGrath co-ordinator for the Moray branch of the MS Society said: "It is just a bit of fun but also to raise awareness.
"It is fantastic and everybody has taken it right on board.
"I was really really delighted after we came back from Batchen Street.
"We went round and asked and it wasn't a bother for any of them.
"It's just delightful."
The MS Society's Moray branch provides direct, targeted resources to local people living with the condition.
Support provided by the charity includes rehabilitation and physiotherapy, at Elgin-based practice Move4ward, counselling and aromatherapy.
The group has also previously offered taster sessions with curling a big hit in the in the past.
Out of a four-week taster experience of the frosty sport, a curling team named Wheelies and Feeties was born.
The group also hopes they will soon be able to offer a surfing session.
"I have MS myself and it can be quite devastating to get the diagnosis," Ms McGrath said.
"Anything MS Society Moray raises will all be spent in Moray.
"They are local and we're local."
The group is having their first meeting of the year at 1.30pm on Sunday, April 23 at the Elgin Sports Centre.
A busy summer schedule will also see them out and about raising awareness at Gordon Castle Highland Games, Seafest in Lossiemouth, Hopeman Gala and the Keith Show.
