‘You can still have a full life, it’s not all over’: Man with MS hosts golfing day fundraiser for charity

A man who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 13 years ago is hosting an event to raise money for the charities which support those affected.

Richard Minns lives in South Croydon, around the corner from Addington Palace Golf Club, where he will be hosting a golf day charity fundraiser on June 21.

The 53-year-old said: “It’s going to be a great day, breakfast, golf, after dinner we’re having guest speakers and a band.

“I’ve always done things for charity. When I was fit and able I ran three London Marathons and one of them was for MS – not that I knew I would come down with it.”

So far, Mr Minns has secured 100 golfers – made up of friends and family – for the event. Each will make a donation and the money raised will be split between the Ryan Neuro Therapy Centre charity and the MS Society.

Mr Minns said: “I wanted to do it this year because it might be the last year I can.”

MS can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a range of potential symptoms including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance. It is a life-long condition that can sometimes cause serious disability.

Describing his diagnosis in 2011, Mr Minns said: “I hadn’t been feeling quite right. There were uncharacteristic stumbles. I’d lose my balance. 

“I couldn’t explain it, so I thought I’d better seek a professional point of view.”

Although the diagnosis came as a blow, Mr Minns said he has never been one to dwell on misfortune.

He said: “I’d got up from blows in the past. This would be no different.”

Thirteen years on, MS has impacted Mr Minns’ mobility, causing him to make adjustments in everyday life.

He said: “I’m wheelchair-bound but it doesn’t stop me from getting out. Me and Harvey – my son – go out when the weather is warm to play golf and I use a tennis racket. 

“He helps me pick the ball up and put it on my racket.”

Mr Minns has been active for most of his life. He said: “I took to sport from an early age, too. Ball sports, team sports, gymnastics. I won my fair share of trophies too.”

But, Mr Minns said, out of all the sports the game of golf takes top place on his list of favourites.

He said: “I’m blessed to have such a wonderful community at Addington Palace Golf Club. This club has provided me with no end of sporting satisfaction and a lifetime supply of friendships which I cherish every day.”

The two charities Mr Minns will support with donations from his event represent two different goals.

He said: “The first part is we need to find a cure for this – there is no cure for either type of MS – recurring relapsing and primary progression.

“Until that happens there are places like Ryan Neuro therapy centre, which are run on a shoestring but serve the whole community.”

In the run up to the event Mr Minns has also set up an Instagram account to release some insights into MS.

He said: “I call them Minnsights. I want to educate people, so if they come across somebody with MS they are more informed.

“Then we have Minnspirations – aimed at people who have got MS to show them that life goes on.

“It’s horrible but you can still have a full life, it’s not all over.”

Mr Minns has shared his story with the South London Press for MS awareness week, which runs from April 22 to 28.

Pictured top: From left, Richard Minns with his sports trophies at school, Harvey Minns with his father Mr Minns during one of their tennis sessions (Picture: Richard Minns)