A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer from Lancaster, who has spent the last 10 years in a wheelchair, is hoping to walk again.

Julie Wignall, of Howgill Avenue, is preparing to receive pioneering stem cell treatment in a bid to make her dream of walking unaided come true.

But she needs help before she can travel overseas for the controversial course of aid. She needs to raise £15,000 for the operation in Holland.

The 39-year-old, who was struck down by the debilitating illness a decade ago, says she just wants to be able to live her life more independently.

The treatment she is seeking uses stem cells from otherwise discarded umbilical cords, which are injected into the spine of the sufferer. It is not available in England Her husband Robert - pictured right with Julie - says: "We are hoping that if Julie has stem cell treatment she will be able to walk again.

"She is confined to a wheelchair and I do most things for her - things that most of us take for granted like getting in and out of bed. If the treatment works it will give her a new lease of life and her independence back."

He says he has heard of other MS sufferers who have had the treatment and made remarkable recoveries and so it is well worth the £15,000 gamble.

Julie and Robert are now hitting the fund raising trail to raise the cash for the treatment to take place in July.

The pair will host a tabletop sale at Torrisholme Church on February 25 and a charity car wash at Motormania in Morecambe on March 11 and 12 from 10am.

They have also organised a sponsored walk from Preston to Blackpool on April 16 and there will be more events to follow, says Robert.

He adds: "All the proceeds will go towards the Better Life 4 Julie' campaign. It is a lot of money but we are hoping to raise as much as we can."

For more information, e-mail betterlife4julie@aol.com or call 07815-742647.