A FAMILY is desperate for £45,000 funding to send a mum-of-two from the district to Russia for pioneering stem cell treatment which could halt devastating multiple sclerosis.

Sarah Blagbrough needs to travel to Moscow in October for treatment that could halt the progression of the cruel disease that has been attacking her body for the past 15 years.

The 43-year-old former nurse, from Eldwick, Bingley, was once a mainstay of the community, looking after people with learning disabilities.

But 15 years after the first symptoms, she is unable to walk without crutches and wears ankle supports to prevent foot drop and is in a wheelchair outside of her home, said brother Jamie Pittock, who is leading the fundraising campaign.

He said: “Her other symptoms include dizziness, itching, numbness, forgetfulness and headaches.

“Sarah’s immune system, which normally helps to fight off infections, is attacking her body and each year she can do less and less.

“She is lucky enough to have a family that loves her and an amazingly supportive husband. Andrew and two great kids.

“But now she has been offered treatment in Russia and for the first time in many years she feels hope again.”

Mr Pittock said Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) will switch off Mrs Blagbrough’s immune system and then restart it.

This restarted immune system will have “forgotten” she has MS, halting the disease’s progression.

He said, while it was not a cure and damage to her spinal cord, brain and other areas were irreparable, it could prevent it worsening.

“Even in Russia, the waiting list for this treatment can be up to two years. However, Sarah has been offered a place sooner due to a cancellation. She was offered this place rather than wait the two years because the doctors thought it would be too late by then. So it’s now or never really,” he said.

Mrs Blagbrough has two children, Connor 18, and Emma, aged 11 and it was after the birth of her son that she first noticed the MS symptoms.

Mr Pittock said since launching the appeal last month there had been tremendous local response.

“There has been an avalanche of ideas to help with plans including a music night with rock bands at Eldwick memorial hall.

“The ball is really rolling now and we’ve already had £6,500 in donations and the Go Fund Me page has only been up and running for a week.”

For details of the appeal go to: https://www.gofundme.com/fightsarahsms