MS charity’s orange ad pulled after ‘silly’ online reaction

Alliance councillor Peter McReynolds – who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2013 – said that a backlash against the charity from many Irish nationalists was “a real shame”.

Several lambasted the MS Society at the weekend after details of the Belfast fundraising walk was advertised on Twitter.

One Twitter user replied: “What next? Wear your white hoodies in Mississippi? Wonderful lack of foresight and research of the area,” while another branded the advert “pretty appalling insensitivity.”

The MS Society UK post was removed with the charity later apologising for any offence caused by “an honest mistake.”

It said: “We’re sorry for any offence caused by this tweet and understand how it may have been interpreted. Orange is the MS Society’s brand colour, and this campaign was used to promote our MS fundraiser across the whole of the UK. We appreciate the sensitivities in Northern Ireland, this was an honest mistake and the advert has now been taken down.”

Responding to the online backlash, Cllr McReynolds said the disappointing reaction had “descended into silliness”.

He said: “I just think it is a real shame. I do a lot of work with the MS Society, including runs wearing bright orange colours. That people would look at something like that and think that it was about malice aimed at a certain group in Northern Ireland...I just don’t understand that.

“The national MS Society has put together a campaign they thought was completely harmless and this should not take away from the event that is taking place. Social media amplifies things.”

Cllr McReynolds added: “I am happy that the event is still going ahead and we are still going to get the people of the MS community together – when they can talk to other families about how they cope.

Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart also called for “common sense” to prevail.

“Some people really need to lighten up and not seek offence where none is intended. They should focus on the very real problems in the world today, because this is not one of them.”

The East Antrim representative said the charity “should be applauded for their efforts to highlight awareness and promote their fundraising,” and added:: “Unionists have the sense not to be daft enough to complain when environmental campaigns urge them to ‘go green’ and I am sure many people who wouldn’t necessarily be supporters of the Orange Order would have no issue with that particular colour being chosen by the MS society.

“Some critics may not be aware but the Orange Order itself raises tens of thousands of pounds for charities every year and as a result helps benefit people right across the community.”

South Antrim DUP MLA Pam Cameron said: “Orange is very clearly the corporate culture of the MS Society and its disappointing they have felt it necessary to remove this particular tweet.

“Hopefully we can make progress in Northern Ireland to a point where people will not worry that a colour might cause offence. However, perhaps the attention this tweet has received can at least promote the MS walk in Belfast and the fantastic work done by the MS Society.”

Ms Cameron added: “Whilst the streets may not turn Orange in September, I hope that on the 13th the streets will be crowded with people taking part in the MS walk.”

Although many nationalists were highly critical of decision to include Belfast in the fundraising promotional material, some were equally scathing of those who complained.

Replying to the MS Society, west Belfast based @squinteratn said: “What a stupid, embarrassing, backward place we live in. I’d be happy to prance about the city in orange or any other colour to raise money for such a great cause. Actually hittin a beamer here.”

Another Twitter user said: “They’ll blow a gasket if they ever attend an Armagh Gaelic football match.”

Further information about the event is available at www.mssociety.org.uk/get-involved