The MS Society has launched this week's MS Week 2008 with a series of new adverts featuring images and words of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

The four new adverts encourage people living with the condition to explore the help that is out there, whether through the MS Society's branch network, self management courses, through online support forums, or via personalised care.

MS Society chief executive Simon Gillespie said: "These latest adverts feature a group of inspiring people living with MS, talking about the way it has affected their lives and what they have done to fight back.

"If you get the right help and support in living with MS, you can make the most of the opportunities available to you. But we know that many people with MS feel like there is nothing they can do to tackle it.

"This MS Week, we want people to pick up the phone, get online, speak to their local MS Society branch, and find out what they can do to actively manage their condition. MS has many invisible symptoms, but people with MS shouldn't make themselves invisible to the health and social care system. It's your right to expect the best possible care and support and the Society is here to help."

The four adverts include:

-- Karen and Gavin from Oldham talking about the benefits of a personalised care package

-- Naomi from Limavady in Northern Ireland, speaking about the way exercise classes through her local branch have made a difference -- Surinder from Glasgow, talking about the impact self management courses have had on her ability to think positively when facing the challenges raised by MS

-- Harriet from London, who found great help and support in the MS Society's online forums

On featuring in the campaign, Harriet said: "I got incredibly excited at the prospect of taking part in the advertising campaign. I have found great support in using the MS Society's online forums and through the campaign I wanted to show that being diagnosed with MS is not the end of the world, there is life after MS - since being diagnosed I've done so much to be proud of. It's important with MS to find things that give you strength and keep you going."

The adverts will be running across the UK from this week. All of the models are available for interview.

The MS Society is the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting everyone whose life is touched by MS, providing respite care, an award-winning freephone helpline (0808 800 8000), specialist MS nurses and funds around 40 vital MS research projects in the UK. http://www.mssociety.org.uk

-- Multiple sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological disorder affecting young adults and an estimated 85,000 people in the UK have MS.

-- MS is the result of damage to myelin - the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system - which interferes with messages between the brain and the body.

-- For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern.

-- Symptoms range from loss of sight and mobility, fatigue, depression and cognitive problems. There is no cure and few effective treatments.

The MS Society