by Emma Cameron

Fourteen-year-old campaigner Ryan McLaughlin was back in theScottish Parliament on Tuesday 3 November to get an update on his petition, which seeks to raise public awareness about the benefits of vitamin D in relation to multiple sclerosis (MS). He was joined at parliament by  his family, supporters from theMultiple Sclerosis Society Scotland and several MSPs

Ryan’s arduous Shine on Scotland campaign has attracted tremendous publicity since it was launched in June, when he led hundreds of school children marched along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to the Scottish Parliament to handover Ryan’s petition to MSPs. Ryan’s e-petition, which has been signed by thousands, called on the Scottish Government to run an awareness campaign to ensure that people living in Scotland know what level of vitamin D supplements they should be taking, and to produce new guidelines on supplementation for children and pregnant women.

Ryan is certainly aware of the effects of MS, as it impacts the lives of 10,500 people in Scotland and one of those affected is his Mum, Kirsten. His experience of MS encouraged him to find a way to help the thousands of people trying to fight this chronic disease and he aims to lessen the impact of MS on future generations. Scientists have found evidence that a direct interaction between vitamin D and a common genetic variant alters the risk of developing the condition. As people in Scotland are exposed to less sunshine, less vitamin D is produced and the risks of contracting this progressive disease are higher than in countries closer to the equator.

The Scottish Government have taken a keen interest in the movement  and in September, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon met with Shine on Scotland campaigners. She, alongside many other MSPs, assured Ryan and his team that they would be invited to play a key role in helping the Government draw up its own awareness campaign on the importance and benefits of vitamin D.

Bill Kidd, Glasgow MSP for the SNP fully commends Ryan and his fellow campaigners on their progress so far. He said to Edinburgh Napier News that: ‘I believe that what Ryan has done shows a great maturity of caring and a remarkable dedication from a young man who, coming from a close family in Glasgow, has decided that he wants to do his very best for his mother and others with MS by challenging the scourge of this disease which hits Scotland in particular so hard.’

He continues: ‘I fully support the campaign for Vitamin D supplements which would address the development of MS in pre-birth and in young children in particular, as has been achieved in Canada and those numerous other countries where it has been introduced.’

Although Ryan didn’t manage to get a referral to the health committee for further investigation, he is grateful for their work so far. He released a statement to Edinburgh Napier News stating that: “We did not think for a moment that we would get free vitamin D for everyone today, we were asking the Government to explore all the evidence first before reaching a decision. We’ll continue to work with the petitions committee and the Scottish Government for the prevention of MS and of course for a healthier Scotland.”

Shine on Scotland campaigners, MSPS and the MS Society Scotland will now begin the task of organising a summit to attract international experts on the subject to present the latest evidence and research.