Join the Stop MS Appeal Board

Stop MS Appeal

The Stop MS Appeal aims to raise £100m for MS research by the end of 2025. To date, we’ve raised £77m. We believe that this will take us to a future where no one has to worry about their MS getting worse. We’ll invest the money in research for treatments that slow or stop disability progression. 

By the end of 2025 we want to be in the final stages of testing these treatments. We’ve never been closer to stopping MS. And with your help, we can get there. 

Success after success

The appeal is already significantly improving our social impact. We’re advancing towards a world free from the  effects of MS, and funding and promoting research into finding effective treatments.

Using funds raised by the Stop MS appeal, we’ve already launched Octopus, our ground-breaking multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) trial - the first of its kind for progressive MS. The trial looks to repurpose existing drugs that have the potential to treat progressive MS. By using drugs already approved for use by the NHS in combination with the design of the trial, we could see results 3 times faster.

We’re working with global partners to deliver MS research, including through our work with the International Progressive MS Alliance. We’re grateful to colleagues from other MS Societies worldwide for their contributions and their support of the Stop MS Appeal. 

We continue to reach ambitious fundraising goals despite the impact of covid and the cost-of-living crisis. The £77 million we’ve already raised comes from a huge variety of revenue streams, including trust and foundation bids, individual giving and philanthropy. We’ve also delivered exciting events including our annual Carols by Candlelight, SMS Battles celebrity quiz, A Tribute to Jacqueline du Pre at the Southbank Centre and an evening of La Traviata at Opera Holland Park. 

The Stop MS Appeal Board

Members of the Stop MS Appeal Board support the appeal through their networks and contacts and oversee the delivery of our high-value programme. They volunteer leadership and play a key role in attracting high-level donations. By working together and individually, they create and manage a series of wonderful events. As well as making peer approaches to people in their networks. You can read about our current Appeal Board here.

Purpose of this role

To help raise the profile of the Stop MS Appeal within circles of wealth, opportunity and influence. To help the MS Society reach our appeal target.

What the role involves

• Engaging with prospective donors and asking for high-value donations and support. Donors can be drawn from both personal and business networks
• Leading and supporting fundraising events and other activities
• Collaborating with other board members both within and outside of board meetings to raise money for MS research
• Helping us to reach our fundraising target through philanthropic and high-value networks 

Skills, experience and abilities needed for this role

Essential

• Ability and willingness to make introductions to individuals, companies, charitable trusts and foundations with the ability to give significant support to the appeal 
• Commitment to the success of the Stop MS Appeal
• Commitment to work to our MS Society values: Bold, Expert, Ambitious, Together
• Commitment to adhere to best practice in fundraising, e.g. data protection, once given MS Society training 

Desirable

• Experience of being part of a fundraising board
• Experience of securing high value donations for charities 
• Understanding of MS and the effects of living with it, together with an appreciation of our work to stop MS 

Our promise to you

You can expect to be supported in this role. We’re happy to discuss how best to help you achieve results. We provide a full induction to MS and the MS Society. And a member of the team will be on hand to help plan and record your actions, answer questions and keep you up-to-date with important developments.