Nils & I are trying to raise some of the £45,000 Abi needs for stem cell treatment. Abi is Nils' sister-in-law and a good friend of mine

The aim is for Nils & I to run a combined 500km by the end of 2017; we will also be personally donating £1 for every 1km we run. Any donations you can afford will be greatly appreciated!

A link to Abi's page can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/abi-harker-1

Here's Abi's Story:

Thank you for opening my page! I am 37 years old and pretty much wheelchair bound because I have Multiple Sclerosis. Help is out there: I am desperately trying to raise money for stem cell treatment so I can walk unaided again and hopefully halt this debilitating disease which progressively gets worse.

All the money we raise on this page will go towards stem cell treatment in Mexico which involves harvesting my healthy stem cells, depleting my immune system and then putting the stem cells back, which should be MS free.

In the summer of 2012 I was out walking with a friend near my home. At one point I had to sit down as my legs felt tired and heavy. A feeling of not being in complete control of my legs.

We sat on a bench and I voiced my fear; I thought I had Multiple Sclerosis.

My pal did what any friend would do and tried to reassure me that it might be something other than MS. However I'd also been suffering from blurry eyesight which is one of the first signs of MS.

A month later my doctor gave me the diagnosis. My fear was realised. I had MS.

That will be five years ago and my life has changed so completely. Gone are the long walks - I can now only manage a few steps with the aid of a crutch, beyond that I need a wheelchair.

Like most people I used to take the ability to put one leg in front of the other for granted, but not being able to do so can lead to a lonely and frustrating existence. I now use a mobility scooter, which is a lifeline to the world outside.

The symptoms of MS have meant that I have had to give up work which feels alien to me. Last year I had a treatment called Lemtrada on the NHS. This halts the symptoms of MS, however scans show I have new lesions on my brain, which means my condition will get worse.

This is a scary way to live and I am taking action. The cost of the treatment is approximately £50k.

My Mum, sister and friends have set up Abi's Angels so we can try and raise the money. I am eternally grateful for any time, effort and money you have put towards this cause. Anyway that you think you may be able to fund raise would be very much appreciated. This treatment could make such an improvement to my life and most importantly halt the disease getting worse.

Many thanks for taking the time to read my story.

Abi x