More than 300 area residents participated in the eighth annual Super Cities Walk for MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in Orangeville on Sunday, raising over $46,000, with more expected to come in over the next month.

Participants walked either a 5 km or 10 km route around town, which began and ended at Orangeville District Secondary School.

Those who didn't want to walk in the rain were allowed to walk around certain paths inside the school.

Caroline Horcher, supervisor for fundraising events and events media for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, said the walk was a big success and thinks the goal of $50,000 (for Orangeville) will be met once all the pledges are brought in.

The walks to support MS take place on various dates over a number of weeks.

This past Sunday there were about 52 walks in Ontario that raised $4.8 million.

MS is an unpredictable and usually a disabling disease of the central nervous system - the brain and spinal cord.

The disease can affect people at any age, but is usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40.

Symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. Symptoms may include:

 vision disturbances, such as double or blurred vision;  extreme fatigue;

 loss or balance;

 problems with coordination;  pain;  depression;  stiffness of muscles;

 speech problems;

 bladder and bowel problems;

 short-term memory problems;

 and partial or complete paralysis.

Orangeville's walk is one of 160 across the county. Last year $11 million dollars was raised across Canada.

The money raised from the walks are used to support MS research and services. Some funds remain in the community to provides services for people here with MS and their families.

Other funds further the search for a cure and the development of new treatments.

Last year, Ann Poyner raised the most money individually with $3,595, and the team who raised the most was Weebles Wobble with $4,649; this year's results are not yet available.