Cymru Council

Our Cymru Council works on behalf of people living with MS in Cymru/Wales.

Council members work alongside our staff team in Cymru/Wales, as well as with our local groups to stop MS.

The Council is ultimately accountable to our Board of Trustees.

Meeting dates

Our meeting dates for 2024 are:

Saturday 2 March
Saturday 15 June
Saturday 7 September
Saturday 9 November

Meetings (except for occasional confidential items) are open to MS Society members. If you’d like to join a Cymru Council meeting online, please contact us by email at [email protected]

Meet our Cymru Council members

Chair of Cymru Council

Susannah Robinson

I have been involved with the Gwynedd a Mon group of the MS Society for almost twenty years since a very good colleague was diagnosed with MS. I saw and felt first-hand the huge impact this had not only on him but on family and friends too.

During my time with the group I have been, at various times, treasurer and co-ordinator as well as being heavily involved with support. I have led the development of the group from meeting just once a month to having activities three or four times a week.

Over the years in addition to my personal experience and contact with those with MS, I have worked closely with MS professionals, social workers, and members of MS Cymru staff enabling me to see and work from many angles.

Email: [email protected]

Marion Davies

Vice Chair

I was diagnosed with MS in 1997 and have lived since then with the problem of fatigue. I have developed a range of responses to well- meaning people who say - oh yes, I get tired too.

I use this as an opportunity to inform people about MS and the varied range of symptoms, and the work of the MS Society in helping people with MS and affected by MS.

I am now happily retired and have the time to support and help causes that I feel passionately about. I am very pleased to be a member of the Cymru Council and will contribute in whatever way I can towards the vision of a world free from the effects of MS.

Email: [email protected]

Daf Wyn

I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS in 2021 following a string of symptoms and a brief spell in hospital. I had two Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) treatments at University Hospital Wales in Cardiff.

I’m now on a mission to raise awareness of MS and be part of the team which strives to stop MS. As a presenter on S4C, I hope to use my voice on behalf of people living with MS. It’s an honour to be a Cymru Council member.

Email: [email protected]

Valerie Simmons

I had symptoms for many years before being diagnosed with relapsing MS in 2008, and more recently, it has become secondary progressive MS. I became a member of our local group Conwy and North Denbighshire in 2008, but as I was working full time, I could only attend their exercise classes. I also did a talk at a North Wales MS Society conference on “Working with MS”.

When I took early retirement in 2018, I became more involved with the group, and in August 2018, I became the group coordinator. I love my role on the coordinating team and I feel very privileged to now be a member of the Cymru Council too.

Email: [email protected]

Thomas Leahy

I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS in February 2022 after my first significant relapse in September 2021 (MS hug and fatigue). The MS Society Cymru and UK were a huge help in understanding all things MS. Thankfully I’m now on a disease modifying therapy. And I’m trialling medications to keep the MS hug from significantly disrupting things.

I work as a lecturer in British and Irish politics and Contemporary History at Cardiff University in Wales. I enjoy walking, football, playing music and learning Welsh. I'm thrilled to be an MS Cymru Council member and to share my excellent experiences of MS services in Cardiff and Swansea. I’m also looking forward to discussing and sharing the views of our Cymru MS community to make MS services the best they can be.

Email: [email protected]

Anne Jones

My experience of MS began when my brother was diagnosed with primary progressive MS. Before then, I wasn’t aware there were different types of MS and what the impact could be on people and their families.

My brother was helped by the local MS group and joined their meetings occasionally. I also regularly met with the local coordinator in Gwynedd and this support and opportunity to chat was very valuable.

I’m honoured to be part of the Council. And I look forward to doing what I can to raise awareness of MS and support and listen to the MS community.

Email: [email protected]

Catriona is smiling at the camera in front of a neutral background.

Catriona Fearn

I trained as an Occupational Therapist (OT) in Glasgow and moved from my native Scotland to work in North Wales for a year or so. But I met my husband Ian and have now lived and worked in North Wales for 37 years!

I recently retired from my post of over 16 years as an MS Specialist Occupational Therapist.

I was an MS Cymru council member from 2009 to 2015. But, now I’m retired, I’m hoping to become more involved with the MS Society. I want to give back to the MS community who were very supportive with my work as an MS specialist OT.

Email: [email protected]