Raising awareness in Whanganui about 'silent disease'

An illness with the nickname the "silent disease" is prominent among more than 50 Whanganui residents.

Next week is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) awareness week.

The Whanganui MS society will be actively engaging within the community to spread education, support and advocacy on behalf of "MSers".

On Tuesday more than 30 volunteers will be around Whanganui with collection buckets, a voice to share information and an ear to listen.

On Saturday, October 2, there will be a barbecue held at Mitre 10 located on Taupo Quay in Whanganui.

MS Whanganui Society president, Veronica Kapaiaai, said last year they raised about $2000.

"We help Whanganui MSers maintain their proactive lives ... and we would really like to keep doing that but we are a non-government funded organisation so we do need the support," Ms Kapaiaai.

The Whanganui organisation is run by MS Society New Zealand which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. MS Whanganui Society was established in 1996.