MULTIPLE Sclerosis patient Sharon Clarke has been picked to take part in a ground-breaking medical trial.

Mrs Clarke, 48, who suffers from the most debilitating formof the disease, was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS 15 years ago and her condition has steadily worsened.

It has been confirmed she has moved into the illness’s later, secondary progressive stage, with no known cure available.

However Mrs Clarke, of Abbot’s Road, Colchester, is hoping the clinical trials in London may help slow her deterioration.

She said: “I found out about the trials months and months ago and got in touch.

“I didn’t hear a thing until January, when they outlined the strict criteria to me.”

Mrs Clarke, who now finds it difficult to walk and is susceptible to falls learned last month she had been chosen.

She added: “For several years, you wouldn’t have known anything was wrong with me, because the symptoms were not too noticeable.

“However, over the past few years, walking has become a lot more troublesome and quite difficult.

“I walk with a stick. I can’t go anywhere without that.”

It is hoped the two-year trial could help researchers discovermore effective treatments.

During the trial, patients will undergo MRI scans to examine the part of the brain which is used to plot the progress of MS.

Mrs Clarke said: “This trial could make such a huge difference to everyone with secondary progressive MS and would give hope to those in that phase of the illness.”

Mrs Clarke’s friends are supporting her in the trials by raising money to help cover the cost of twicemonthly trips to University College Hospital, London by her and a companion.

She can claim £24.50 for each trip, but that does not cover the full cost, and because she is at risk of falls, she and cannot travel alone.

In total, they need to raise about £687 to pay train and taxi fares over the next two years. Any extra money will be donated to the Colchester branch of the MS Society.

To contribute, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/get-sharon-to-ucl-hospital