SEVEN MS sufferers from West Oxfordshire are set to complete a charity skydive to raise funds for the community group that supports them.

The friends will have to overcome the physical impairments of their conditions to complete the jump and raise money for West Oxfordshire MS Society.

The society, which meets at Burwell Hall in Witney each week, is where the group of potential daredevils first met.

Bruce Barrett, 38, from Carterton, was diagnosed with the condition when he was 31.

He finds it almost impossible to cook and make hot drinks, but is not daunted by the thought of taking to the skies over Redlands Airfield in Swindon on July 19.

Father-of-two Mr Barrett was inspired to do the jump after watching the classic 1990s movie Point Break.

He said: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and now I’ve got the opportunity to do it I thought I’d better go for it.”

Mr Barrett has been going to West Oxfordshire MS Society for five years.

He said: “It’s a really great place and there is a lot of support available.

“There is a physio who makes us do wonderful exercises and a dietary advisor and masseuse.

“The best thing is that you get to speak to like minded people.”

Mr Barrett used to be an insurance broker but had to give up work when he was diagnosed with secondary progression MS, a slower developing form of the condition than primary progression. Now he has to use a wheelchair to get around.

He said: “It’s the only time in my life I’ve been glad to come second.

“It’s a shock because you just don’t know what’s going to happen but you’ve just got to get on with it.

“There’s always people who are worse off than you.

“At first my children really didn’t understand the condition but they went on an awareness course which was really great and now they are fine with it.”

Of the movie that inspired him, Mr Barrett said: “It’s fantastic. They are all bank robbers and they rob banks and go sky diving.

“They go up in the plane and say it is the best adrenaline rush. It’s just great.”

He added: “I’m not nervous, I’m just really looking forward to it. If I can help the MS society in any way, I will.”

Teams from the centre have jumped on previous occasions.

Kathie Tanner, who runs the society’s West Oxfordshire branch, said: “It’s one of the best fundraising events we do.

“We like to get out there in the community. There’s always somebody being diagnosed almost every day and it’s important we let people know were here to help.”

* The team is hoping to raise £500 each. To donate visit justgiving.com/Bruce-Barrett1

* More details about the group can be found at mssociety.org.uk/near-me/branches/west-oxfordshire-branch