MS Society chief executive Simon Gillespie said: "These latest adverts feature a group of inspiring people living with MS, talking about the way it has affected their lives and what they have done to fight back.

"If you get the right help and support in living with MS, you can make the most of the opportunities available to you. But we know that many people with MS feel like there is nothing they can do to tackle it.

"This MS Week, we want people to pick up the phone, get online, speak to their local MS Society branch, and find out what they can do to actively manage their condition. MS has many invisible symptoms, but people with MS shouldn't make themselves invisible to the health and social care system. It's your right to expect the best possible care and support and the Society is here to help."

The four adverts, which you can download on the right, feature:

• Karen and Gavin from Oldham, talking about the benefits of a personalised care package. Karen said: "The picture represents how we are – before the budget things were broken, but slowly we have helped one another put the pieces back together.”
• Naomi from Limavady in Northern Ireland, speaking about the way exercise classes through her local branch have made a difference. She said: "There’s still a lack of understanding about MS amongst the public. I’ve had a huge amount of help through yoga, it’s made a real difference, and I wanted to let people know just how helpful it can be."
• Surinder Saroya from Glasgow, talking about the impact self management courses have had on her ability to think positively when facing the challenges raised by MS. Surinder explained: "My diagnosis was a blur and hard to cope with, I thought my life was over and I was scared I was going to die. I was given a pack of information on MS and included in it were some leaflets on the support of the MS Society. I got in touch with my local branch and took things from there.”
• Harriet Connides from London, who found great help and support in the MS Society's online forums. She added: "Online is where I saw the article about the advertising campaign and I got incredibly excited at the prospect of taking part.  I wanted to show that being diagnosed with MS is not the end of the world, there is life after MS – since being diagnosed I’ve done so much to be proud of.”

These adverts will be running across the UK next week and beyond, and MS Society branches have received copies to help promote their work locally. A big thank you is due to the Society's message board users who contributed to the adverts. More than 100 people volunteered to model for the Society this time, a huge response to our call for help.

Volunteers and fundraisers will also be out in force next week raising awareness of MS. The ever popular Cake Break event next Friday is just one example of what our supporters have in store.

Meanwhile, the Society's policy and campaigns teams will be lobbying politicians in Whitehall, Holyrood, Stormont and Cardiff in a bid to raise the profile of MS with opinion formers. Look out for further news during MS Week.