WHEN dad-of-one Tony Gallagher was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis his family were determined to help him fight it.

Twelve years ago the 46-year-old suffered the devastating blow that he had a degenerative condition, and he was confined to a wheelchair three years ago.

But Mr Gallagher, of Bure Park, Bicester, has not given up hope of finding a cure or a way to slow down his deteriorating health and has spent £30,000 on treatments not provided by the NHS.

Last month he returned from a three-day £10,000 treatment in Poland where he underwent treatment for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).

Doctors discovered he had blocked val-ves in his jugular vein that restricted blood flow and caused a build-up of iron which he was told could be a trigger for his MS.

The procedure involved pushing a device from his groin through the vein to get rid of the blockage.

The business development team leader said: “So far I have renewed energy. I am hoping it is not a psychosomatic thing, it has allowed me to do more.

“If nothing else I feel like it has energised me. I definitely feel a bit more lively.”

Mr Gallagher tried a £20,000 stem cell replacement therapy in the Ukraine two years ago, administered intravenously and through injections, but it was unsuccessful. Mr Gallagher, who is married to Suzanne and dad to George, 16, said even being able to stand and help himself up would be a major step forward.

He said: “People have been fantastic, my wife has been amazing. Friends and family, they are the ones who drive me to do it. We enjoy life and just get on with it.”

Family and fundraising has paid towards the cost of the treatment and Mr Gallagher said he wants to pay lenders back.

MS treatments available on the NHS include physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and psychological and emotional support.

Mr Gallagher said: “The NHS tests things to death sometimes, it can take time for it to become approved.”

However, Dr Doug Brown, head of biomedical research at the MS Society, said of stem cell and CCSVI treatments: “For now they remain unproven.

“We would not recommend people seek stem cell or CCSVI treatment outside of a properly controlled clinical trial.”

Tomorrow, friends will hold a fundraising party for Mr Gallagher at The Angel pub, Sheep Street, Bicester, including 1960s band The Dreamers, a disco and pig roast.

Tickets cost £10 and are available from the Sheep Street pub or on 01869 360410.