Letchworth-based charity the MS Trust is encouraging people with the condition to introduce activity into their daily lives with free Zumba class ahead of MS Awareness Week.

According to a survey conducted by the charity, execise can have a positive impact on those living with multiple sclerosis. Benefits listed by respondents included improvements in mental health, increase strength and reduction in fatigue as the main benefits of staying active with MS.

Throughout MS Awareness Week – which runs from April 22 to 28 – the charity will be promoting the benefits of staying active, encouraging those with the illness to introduce activity on a regular basis.

tHE MS Trust is launching a series of accessible pilates workouts, developed with a neuro-physiotherapist, and on Wednesday, April 24, it will host a Zumba class at its Spirella Building base in Letchworth.

MS Trust CEO David Martin said: “Research shows us that regular and moderate exercise has many benefits for people living with MS, both physically and mentally.

“We hope that by shining a spotlight on exercise during MS Awareness Week, we can encourge people with MS all over the UK to introduce a little activity into their daily routine.

“We recognise that MS can affect people in many different ways and not everyone will be able to gof or a run, get to a pool or go to the gym, so our campaign is all about making exercise as accessible as possible.”

Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It is a lifelong condition, usually diagnosed in people in their 20s and 30s, and can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including eyesight problems, fatigue, balance problems, altered sensations and cognitive issues.

Around 110,000 people in the UK live with MS and it affects around three times as many women as men.

One person with MS said told the charity: “Staying active is good for the body and mind, it also makes me feel as though I’m being proactive regarding my own health.”

Another commented: “Being active has been a lifeline for me. I firmly believe it has kept my symptoms under control.”

For more information on the free Zumba session, go to mstrust.org.uk/Zumba.