THE Dumbarton District Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Branch had plenty to celebrate when they reached the 6th birthday of their drop-in facility based in Helensburgh.

The drop-in is held every fortnight and has proved to be a great success for the MS community.

The afternoon consists of a light lunch, an exercise class with qualified physiotherapists, followed by a guest speaker or short film. In between activities there is plenty of time for the group to catch up for a chat with a tea or coffee.

Councillor Vivien Dance attended the celebrations and presented certificates of appreciation to dedicated voluntary support to two of the branch volunteers, Wendy Rollo and Gordon Renwick.

To complete the party was a cake and to keep up with tradition the group invited new members Emma Brogan and Liz Davies to cut the cake. The cake was designed to represent the exercise class and modelled on two of the group members Mary Donald and Steven Singleton.

Councillor Vivien Dance, said: "I remember attending the inaugural event of this group as I was keen to support them bringing their activities to the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

"In the years since this group has provided much needed support to local people of all ages who live their lives with this illness and all their activities provide a chance for group members and their guests to share experiences, get advice and of course have fun and enjoy the company. Speakers are invited along as part of the afternoon, therapies and exercise classes are offered and of course many outings are enjoyed.

"The tenacity of two of the organising committee, Sheena and Robert, in securing funding to support the group is admirable and I am extremely impressed by the fact that they have been active in our town for six years.

"I was delighted to be invited as a birthday party guest and to have the chance to catch up with everyone again and to enjoy an afternoon with a group that continues to make a difference and seems to go from strength to strength. I am sure we all want to wish them well for many years to come and thank the committee for the service they provide in our community."