A WELLNESS centre for Multiple Sclerosis patients in Colchester will close permanently due to the financial impact of coronavirus, with the building set to be sold so the charity which runs it can survive.

Josephs Court, in Hythe Quay, which is run by Colchester-based MS-UK, will be closing as the charity says it will no longer be able to provide face-to-face services.

Chief executive Amy Woolf said the pandemic had accelerated the charity’s digital agenda and led to it reviewing its future strategy.

She said: “Given the impact the pandemic will have on fundraising events and our economy generally, we expect the charity’s incomes streams to be severely affected and it is unlikely we will have funds to continue operating in our current form.

“We never imagined this would be our situation. Everyone at MS-UK is sad it has come to this.

“I am proud of the hard work my team have put in during this difficult time, both to secure urgent funding and launch new fundraising initiatives, as well as rapidly adapting our services.

“We will do the best we can to continue to support people affected by MS, although perhaps in new or alternative ways which will ensure we continue to be here for people when they need us.”

She added: "We wish to support our clients, who we know will be as upset by this news as we are, so we will be working with them to adapt our current offering and create new digital services in the future.”

Josephs Court opened in 2012 after a donation of £100,000 from long-time supporters, the Josephs family.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds more in funding has been secured from various sources including individual fundraisers to run the centre since it opened including purchasing state-of-the-art equipment to assist people with MS.

Specialist equipment at the centre is likely to be put to good use elsewhere but the building is set to be sold to keep the charity going.

Jennie Chandler, 31, was diagnosed with MS a decade ago.

She said the centre and MS-UK helped her come to terms with and learn to live with her condition.

Her husband Chris has raised thousands of pounds for the charity over the years with various fundraising challenges.

Jennie, who lives in Colchester with husband, Chris, and her three children, said: “It is a bit of a shock to hear the news. We are so lucky to have the facility on our doorstep.

“The charity have been amazing for me over the years.

"When I was first diagnosed at 21 I was sent home from hospital with no idea what to do next. They really helped me from then.

"Even now if I need support they are the people I turn to and I know I can use Josephs Court if I need to.

“Anyone can access the centre and there aren’t many places like it around.”

To support the charity, visit www.ms-uk.org.