A NEYLAND man suffering from multiple sclerosis has this week flown to Mexico for life-changing treatment thanks to the generosity of his family, friends and the general public.

Paul Wheeler, 46, has raised over £50,000 in under a year to fund the hematopoietic stem cell transplant that he hopes will stop the disease from worsening.

“I am absolutely over the moon," said the former IT worker, who has travelled to Mexico with his partner Tina.

“I had a couple of big donations by family which really helped.

“People who I don’t even know have put money on to my GoFundMe page; I’ve been totally overwhelmed by people’s generosity.”

In 2012, Paul was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS which worsened to secondary progressive MS a few months later.

After extensive research he discovered that his type of MS was being treated in Mexico.

He will now undergo treatment which will hopefully stop the progression from worsening.

“Now I hopefully won’t have to worry about the progression, the mindset change will be fantastic,” he said.

“About 25 per cent of people will start to get better. If that happens, that’s a plus.

“There are people that three months after having had the treatment have gone back to work; there are other people that, a year later, are still using a zimmer frame to walk.”

Paul had originally set a target of £45,000 for the treatment. However, since the drop in the value of the pound, the cost of treatment has risen.

Along with numerous fundraisers including car boot sales and poker nights, Paul took part in a 150-mile hike to the Severn Bridge.

His family in Surrey also organised a one-day ‘MS Fest’ mini music festival at Godstone Farm in Surrey to help raise cash.

After returning from Mexico in April, he will need further treatment in the UK once a month for five months.

To keep all those who have helped him informed of his progress, Paul will post updates on his GoFundMe page.

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