A determined 25-year-old Bradford man who had chemotherapy to combat an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis has vowed to complete the London Marathon in 2011.

Bradford University graduate Gav Lehmann of City Mills, Bradford, had to give up work eight months ago because of MS symptoms.

In a series of ten relapses in two years, he partially lost the sight in one eye, suffered loss of feeling in his arms and legs and started to lose his balance.

Specialists at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford diagnosed his illness as Rapidly Evolving Relapsing Remitting, a particularly aggressive type of MS, and he was given chemotherapy.

Now, after finishing the year-long treatment with some success, Mr Lehmann is to start his preparation for the marathon with a walk to raise £1,000 for the MS Society.

He then plans to walk distances increasing from three kilometres to 13 miles – a half marathon – before attempting his ultimate challenge.

He said: “I’m going to try to do further and further with a build-up to the marathon.

“It might take me two weeks to finish but I will definitely give it a go!”

Mr Lehmann, a media technology graduate, originally from Kent, reached his lowest ebb last Christmas when he was hit with a virus he could not fight off because of the effects chemotherapy. He spent weeks in hospital and, just as he was recovering, suffered further relapses in February and March.

Mr Lehmann, who will marry Debbie Goodyer, 25, next March, has now taken over running the Bradford MS network Facebook group and writes a blog, mslifeandsuperpowers, offering help and advice. He will be walking for the MS Society in Roundhay Park, Leeds, on Saturday, July 11. To sponsor him, visit beatms.mssociety.org.uk/netcommunity/GavsAmble e-mail: marc.meneaud@telegraphandargus.co.uk