Shiv Sharma is planning to walk, run, swim, row and cycle 60km over 6 days to raise money for the MS Society in the charity’s 60th year.

It might not sound like a really tough challenge for fit and healthy people, but Shiv has been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) for 11 years and it’s had a big impact on his health.

The 48-year-old from Cranford is aiming to raise £6,000.

He’s already up to almost £1,500 and says the money has come from family, friends, and business acquaintances.

He said, “All these people know I’ve had MS for a long time and they’ve seen the deterioration in my health so they know what a big challenge this will be for me. Now they’re putting their money where their mouths are!”

He says he came up with the idea a couple of weeks ago: “I was at the MS Society awards ceremony in London and it was so inspiring to hear what other people have done. I decided I wanted to do something while I’m still able.

"Although I do a lot of volunteering and raise a lot of money I haven’t held a big event, so I decided to do one big event while I still can. I also wanted to commemorate 60 years of the MS Society.”

The 48-year-old’s challenge will all take place in his local gym – the David Lloyd, Heston – and he’s taken a week off work to do it. He’ll use 6 different machines to reach his 60km target.

Shiv’s main symptoms with his MS include problems with walking, balance, pins and needles and numbness below both knees and he says the condition has had a big impact on his life: “People who know me know I went from running half marathons when my MS was medically confirmed to now walking very poorly with a stick, like a drunk!. Doing 100m is very difficult so 60km will be like climbing Everest.

"I’m a bit anxious and bit nervous but I’m just stubborn and determined to do what I say I will. I’ve got MS but MS hasn’t got me. I will do what I can for as long as I can to help people in a worse situation than me.”

The MS Society is the leading UK charity for the 100,000 people living with multiple sclerosis. Most people are diagnosed in their 20s and 30s.

Shiv’s challenge will start on Sunday 17 November.

You can sponsor Shiv online at: www.justgiving.com/Shiv60.

For more information about the charity go to: www.mssociety.org.uk