Mum's the word for new Inner Wheel president Ruth

And for her year in office, Rush has chosen to support the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) charity – a subject very close to her heart as her mum suffers from the condition.

Ruth said: “My journey to becoming the president started some years ago at the tender age of 18 when I joined Rotaract with a bunch of school friends.

“We had a great laugh meeting on a regular basis, the occasional posh frock do, one too many lemonades and ultimately raising money for charity with a group of friends.

“ So not much has changed really!

“I remember saying to myself ‘one day I’m going to be one of those Inner Wheel ladies’, but at the time it meant marrying a Rotarian.

“Thankfully, several year ago, the membership rules for Inner Wheel changed and open membership was granted.

“In my first year I saw and felt the same sense of fun, friendship and service to the community that I had experienced way back in Rotaract.

“Inner Wheel ladies still meet on a regular basis, we go to a few more posh frock do’s, we drink something a little more lively than lemonade, but ultimately what we do is raise money for charity with a group of friends.

“My chosen charity this year is Multiple Sclerosis or MS as it is commonly known.

“MS is something I also knew from an early age as my mum Eira was diagnosed when I was nine.

“It didn’t really mean that much to me at the time and I didn’t really know what was going on.

“Thanks to my wonderful family, life was pretty much frantic and fun, and as it should have been for a nine-year-old with three older siblings.

“Mum battled on for almost 35 years without help.

“The doctors simply said words to the effect of ‘what do you want me to do?’.

“She wasn’t on any waiting list for a cure, as there isn’t one.

“As an adult, I made it my mission to understand MS and realised, for better of worse, it has helped make me the person I am today.

“I read quite a lot around the subject and we introduced mum and dad to the Mansfield Branch of the MS Society, and the rest as they say is history.

“Mum gained access to NHS MS care and regular check-ups and occupational therapy, to social circles of people in the same situation, to respite and understanding – support had finally arrived.

“As my Inner Wheel dream to be a member has come true, I want to use this time to continue to help where I can.

“If we raise awareness and help people understand, and raise money for this charity as we do, I’ll be one happy past president this time next year.”