AN inspirational 27-year-old who has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is planning a skydive this summer to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.

Reece Brown, a student nurse who has just completed a placement at Hexham General Hospital, was diagnosed with the condition, which affects the brain and spinal cord, on February 3 having experienced episodes of numbness while watching his young daughter, Hannah (4), swim.

Initially health specialists put the pain down to stress, following a recent family death. But the condition was confirmed this month, following a series of consultations at a specialist neurology unit.

When Reece, a student at Sunderland University, lost 13 stone earlier this year, he thought it would be the start of a “new life”, though now he admits the future is uncertain.

“I don’t know what the future holds, I have to life my life now and not put anything off, as we don’t know what is around the corner,” he said.

“It was a big shock to the system. But I’ve got to fight it, I can’t let it fight me.

“A sky dive has been on my bucket list for five or six years, what better way than to do it for the MS Trust, who do amazing work.

“I had always put it off, but my consultant said don’t hold back. So I got it booked, though I initially thought, what have I done?”

Reece is following the advice of MS nurses and is taking preventative medication to manage his condition.

He credits his family, including wife Bethany and his father-in law, for keeping morale high, as well as Northumbria healthcare trust, which he said had been “brilliant”.

The skydive will take place on June 28 at Peterlee Skydive Academy, and donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/reece-brown5