Birmingham graduate with MS to take on fundraising walk in the city

Sameerah Connor, 25, will take on the national charity's MS Walk when it takes place in the city for the first time. MS Walk welcomes people to walk, roll or stroll alongside hundreds of others to raise money for MS research. The accessible route around Birmingham has 1km, 5km or 10km options.  

Sameerah was studying at the University of Birmingham in December 2021 when she woke up one morning with blurred vision and a headache. By the next morning, she couldn't see colours and soon lost sight completely in her left eye. After visiting an optometrist, she was advised to go to a hospital where scans revealed she had over 20 lesions on her brain. Further investigation eventually confirmed she had relapsing MS in June 2023.  

Over 130,000 people in the UK live with MS, with 130 diagnosed each week. It's estimated over 5,500 people are living with the condition across the West Midlands. MS affects the brain and spinal cord and impacts how people move, think and feel. MS stays with you for life and while there are treatments that can help manage some symptoms, there is no cure.  

Sameerah, who will be walking with friends and family on the day, says: "I was given steroids when I first went into hospital which affected my knee joints and after being diagnosed my mood was really low coming to terms with this condition. I had no motivation to move and my ability to exercise was really knocked. Walking 10k is going to be a big achievement. 

"I now work in a GP practice and see a lot of patients also living with MS. Being in a position where I can see the impact, not only on myself but on the patients I work with, I wanted to do something to raise money for research which will hopefully help us all. MS Walk coming to Birmingham this year for the first time felt like the obvious choice."  

Mark Haymes, Head of Community and Events Fundraising, says: "We're very grateful to Sameerah for taking part in our first ever MS Walk Birmingham. MS Walk is our flagship event which we've run across the UK for over 10 years. It's not just a fundraising event – it builds community and there is an amazing atmosphere on the day. We're excited to be visiting Birmingham this June."