STOKE Prior man Malcolm Pear's battle against multiple sclerosis will take him to Holland this week, for pioneering stem cell treatment.

As reported in the Advertiser/Messenger in October, Malcolm, who has been battling against the debilitating illness for ten years, and his wife, Leslie, had been trying to raise £14,000 for the treatment, which has been banned in Britain.

Now the 51-year-old former chartered accountant, who lives in Fairoak Drive, Stoke Prior, will fly out to the Advanced Cell Therapeutics clinic in Rotterdam today (Wednesday).

The treatment has been secured thanks to a huge community fundraising effort, which has included car boot sales, coffee mornings and donations from local companies.

"The generosity has been fantastic, even from total strangers," said Leslie.

"A teenager approached us at a fundraising event to ask what was going on, and she then organised a sponsored walk and charity darts match."

"We've heard wonderful things about the treatment, so if it can help Malcolm in any way, then great."

Malcolm's illness leaves him constantly fatigued, severely affects his walking and also forced him to give up his job.

The treatment, which sees 1.5 million stem cells injected into the body, has an 80 per cent success rate, and although it is not a cure for MS, it is hoped that it can improve Malcolm's balance and memory. With the date getting closer Malcolm admitted he is trying not to expect too much.

"The time is passing very slowly at the moment," he said.

"I'm not expecting too much, and I don't want to build my hopes up too high. But I'm staying positive, and hoping things can improve. I also hope that there is going to be a big benefit for other MS sufferers."