Profiles of Committee Members

Dave Selkirk - Chair

My working background is in education. For many years I was a Principal Teacher of History, first of al in Edinburgh and then in Stirling, and I also acted for a while as a Principal Examiner in contemporary social Studies for the Scottish Education Board.

I do not have MS myself but presently I act as carer for my wife Shona who has. Shona and I joined the Ross-shire Branch after moving north to Shona's family croft in Kiltarlity. When we first joined the branch Shona and I were given a very warm welcome and made to feel at home and now that I have become Chair I have set out to continue the Ross-hire tradition of providing friendship, fellowship and support for all our members. I am also committed to the aim of improving services for people with MS and I have set out to work with the MS society Scotland nationally and with other local branches to bring this about in Ross-shire and the Highlands.

Apart from MS Matters and home life , Shona and I enjoy going to the theatre and I read as much as I can, novels for pleasure, history by preference.

Gill McWhirter

I have been connected with the Ross-shire Branch for about 16 years, initially as a committee member, then 10 years as the Chair Person and as Secretary at present. I don’t have MS, but have an enthusiasm to support those who do. I regard the members of the Branch as an extended family, enjoy working with them and greatly admire their fortitude in the way they cope with life with MS.

Originally hgailing from Warwickshire, I have lived in Scotland for 45 years and came to Ross-shire in 1967. Before I retired I was an architect and graphic designer – this comes in handy when doing the Branch Newsletter. I was widowed when I was 60, have a son in New Zealand and two daughters in Inverness, and six grandchildren. Apart them all of them, my pride and joy is my 15-year old Beardie Collie called Mac.

Helen Rait

My name is Helen. I am a 36-year old, happily married mum of 2. I have had MS for over 7 years, although only diagnosed just over 2 years ago. I have remitting-relapsing MS. I inject every second day with betaferon which seems to be keeping me upright. I have been on the committee of the Ross-shire Branch for 18 months. I am a fiend for fund-raising!

John Louden

I have been Treasurer of the Ross-shire branch for more years than I care to count. I lived in North Berwick until 1962, then Elie until I left school, followed by short spells in Kirkintilloch and Peebles before settling in Edinburgh in 1975. I am married to Jennifer and have two grown up children, Deborah and Robert.

I joined the Royal Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh in 1970 where I worked in various Branches and head Office Departments before being transferred to Perth in 1980, followed by Inverness in 1985 and finally to Dingwall from where I took the opportunity during the “culling of the Bank Manager era” to accept the Voluntary Early Retiral Package on offer in 1999.

I have always been keen on sports both as a participant and as a spectator, with golf being a lifetime passion from the age of seven. The remainder, thanks to the passing of time, are now mainly enjoyed from the comfort of my armchair with the exception of Curling at which my enthusiasm outweighs my ability!

Deline Wood

I am 48 yrs old & have been a widow for 9 yrs. I work part-time in a primary school & although becoming more disabled I still drive an auto car, I've had M.S. for 14 years. It is now relapsing progressive. I've been on Betaferon for 2 years and have had no relapses since so I'm considered a success. I think being positive helps.