MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer Luke Tavener is taking part in a swimathon on Sunday to raise thousands of pounds in aid of a Warminster centre which helps sufferers of the disease.

Mr Tavener, 32, of Chapmanslade near Warminster, is keen to support the Wessex MS Centre in The Avenue, which receives no Government or NHS funding and relies on donations and fundraising of £170,000-a-year to survive.

Mr Tavener said: “It’s just such a positive place and people that go there know we have got this terrible illness but everybody just gets on with it and are there to help themselves. I have met some incredible people.”

“We really need to promote the therapy centre for all the good that it does; it really has helped the community.”

As well as an oxygen chamber, physiotherapy facilities and massage rooms, the centre is a hive of activity for sufferers of all neurological conditions, and also offer support to their carers.

MS affects about 85,000 people in the UK and can causes fatigue, memory problems, poor balance, depression, muscle spasms, poor vision and speech difficulties.

Mr Tavener has suffered with the condition for 13 years but is adamant it will not hold him back.

To prove it he will be leading a team in the 24th annual Lions club charity sponsored swim at Frome Leisure Centre.

As well as needing people to join the team he is hoping to raise as much sponsorship as possible to make the challenge worthwhile.

Mr Tavener, who has created his own fresh and upbeat website called www.bodybooks.com, devoted to MS, including a blog, his own story, an advice page, tips and links to other websites, said: “I’m trying to do my bit and help out with what I can. My arms are perfect and left leg is good but my right leg won’t bend very well so it is going to be a bit of a challenge.

“If you can imagine swimming with just one leg that’s what it is like so it’s not going to be easy.”

To sponsor Mr Tavener go to www.justgiving.com/wessexmsswim. Donations can be taken to the MS centre or call 01985 217728.