Hilary Windsor looks the picture of health.

The retired nurse is a regular at the gym, does various exercise classes, enjoys handbell ringing and is preparing for a trip to Nepal with husband John.

But the reality is she has multiple sclerosis (MS) and never knows how she will feel from one day to the next.

“Fatigue is the big thing with MS, this overwhelming tiredness when you have not done an awful lot,” said Hilary, 64, of Great Broughton.

“It’s very, very unpredictable. You just have to get on with life and hope nothing happens.”

She was diagnosed with the neurological condition 14 years ago when she was working in the special care baby unit in the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

She said: “I lost the use of my left side. I had no idea I had MS although I think I probably had it since I was 16.

“I had exactly the same symptoms then – the loss of use of my arms and legs. But in those days they didn’t know much about MS so it was never picked up.”

While she has full use of her arms and legs now, she suffers loss of feeling in her feet.

“I feel like I’m walking on bags of water,” she said.

“I also take medicine for nerve pain because I have a lot of skin pain at night.”

Hilary initially took six months off work but later returned. She retired four- and-a-half years ago after 21 years at the hospital.

“Once I was retired I wanted to help others so got in touch with Allerdale MS Society,” said Hilary, who has two grown-up children, and is the group’s lead support officer.

“When people are first diagnosed and need someone to speak to I have a chat with them. Two of us go out and see them, if they would like that,” said Hilary.

The group can also help people financially or support them with grant applications.

“They might need house alterations or have mobility issues, all sorts of things,” said Hilary.

The group has about 100 members, ranging from young mums to people in their eighties. It runs weekly exercise classes at Northside Community Centre in Workington as well as talks and social get togethers.

“The exercise classes are very important for the social aspect but also for our mobility. They help keep the joints working and with our balance,” said Hilary.

The group was delighted to recently receive £722 from Cockermouth mayor Sam Standage. It will go towards exercise classes and trips out.

It will hold an information afternoon at Hundith Hill Hotel, Cockermouth, on Sunday from 1.30pm to 5pm. There will be a range of presentations and stalls, with refreshments provided.

Booking is essential. To register, contact Hilary on 01900 824778.

For more details about the group visit www.ms society.org.uk