A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer from West Wick is taking on the challenge of a lifetime. Mark Whitehouse, who lives in Sunnybank Court, will join a team of seven friends and will propel himself in a wheelchair for hundreds of miles from Edinburgh to London

A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer from West Wick is taking on the challenge of a lifetime.Mark Whitehouse, who lives in Sunnybank Court, will join a team of seven friends and will propel himself in a wheelchair for hundreds of miles from Edinburgh to London over the period of a month.The 44-year-old retired IT worker was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in 2003. His mobility has deteriorated so much now that he cannot walk without holding onto things.So he and his fellow team members decided to take part in the event to raise money for the debilitating illness.The 'Ms-nificent 7' as the group calls itself, will leave Edinburgh on July 16, 10 years to the day that organiser and fellow participant James Coke, who lives in Fulham, London, was diagnosed with MS. On its journey the group will sleep in a 12-berth bus which it will rent.The team will end up in Downing Street on August 16 when it will hand in a petition demanding more to be done to help people with MS.Mark, who moved to the Weston area in February, will take on the challenge with his girlfriend, 34-year-old Jennifer Van Cutsem, who lives in Gent, Belgium.He said: "I am joining the team in an effort to raise awareness of MS and prove that, although my mobility is restricted, I can still cope with what life throws at me. Albeit with help."The Ms-nificent 7 aims to raise £250,000 for MS charities. If anyone wants to sponsor Mark and the team they can log onto www.justgiving.com/onamisssion