My name is Mark Ewen, some of you may know me as Sparks!

Ten months ago I was diagnosed with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS), a chronic autoimmune disease with no known cure. Up until that point I was fit, healthy and active, working full time as a joiner. Since diagnosis, my symptoms have worsened steadily and I am now in the position where, amongst other things, I am unable to walk any distance. I had no option but to give up work in December 2015 as the physical nature of my job made it impossible to continue any longer. Every day is an uphill struggle and the progressive nature of the disease means my symptoms will only get worse.

I have been given the chance to receive life changing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Treatment (HSCT) in Moscow, Russia in November this year. This treatment is currently unavailable to MS patients in the UK. If successful, HSCT could halt any further progression of my symptoms and possibly even repair damage already done. The knowledge however that the disease has been halted would be amazing. My goal would simply be to go for a walk and kick a football around with my boys, not running marathons or climbing mountains, just the simple things we all take for granted.

With your help, I will grab this opportunity to get my life back. Thank you, your kindness will be life changing for me.

Mark