By The Herdwick News

A group of friends have raised over £20,000 to help pay for a Whitehaven man’s treatment after he was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) earlier this year.

Sheldon Morfoot was recently diagnosed with MS – a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system which can lead to a range of different life changing symptoms – an condition that Sheldon’s mum sadly passed away from, back in 2015.

Although this condition cannot be cured it can be treated and managed, which is what Sheldon’s friend’s are trying to help with.

There is a specialised treatment called Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) available in Mexico, which is an intense chemotherapy over a period of 28 days.

However, the treatment costs around £50,000 – not including travel expenses and after care he will require following the treatment.

In a bid to help, Sheldon’s friends have been fundraising for the cause including, creating a Go Fund Me page, hosting race night events, and raffles with prizes donated from local businesses.

Alongside these two friends, Layla and Amy Thomas, made and sold orange door bows – the same colour as the MS Awareness ribbon – four friends completed a 12 hour static bike ride in Tesco’s Whitehaven and his friends Alex Hodgson and Matthew Pilkington are completing the “Goggins Challenge” where they will run four miles every four hours for 48 hours and have already received multiple sponsors from local business and sports clubs.

Speaking to The Herdwick News Sheldon’s friend, Daniel Brennan, said: ” Sheldon is unbelievably important to us involved in the fundraiser, Sheldon is one of our best mates and the type of lad who will do anything for anyone, this treatment will give him a chance to continue his life normally, for as long as possible.

“Time was really important as this treatment is his best chance to halt the progression of the disease but cannot undo any damage already done. So the sooner he got the treatment the better. We want our friend live the longest, healthiest life possible and don’t want finance to be an obstacle for that to happen.

“As to how much we want to raise, as much as possible to ease the financial burden of paying for the treatment. Hopefully cover all the costs, but every pound is a step closer to easing that burden.”

The group also thanked the ‘ generosity of the community and a large amount of business in West Cumbria’ as they continue to support their friend.