A NEYLAND man suffering from multiple sclerosis has set off on a sponsored 150-mile trek to the Severn Bridge to raise money for life-changing treatment in Mexico.

Paul Wheeler, 45, received a send-off outside the Admiral Benbow pub on Saturday morning from friends and family as he began the arduous six-day journey.

On each day of the hike, a different four-person team will accompany Paul.

At the end of each day Paul will travel back to Neyland and set off the following morning from the last point with a new team.

He said he was excited and a little scared before setting off. “I don’t know how it’s going to feel sitting that long for such a distance,” he said.

“Each team is pushing me for 26 miles a day, which is the same as a marathon. It’s a hell of a distance.

“I think we’re all prepared and we will keep each other going.”

Following extensive planning, the hikers are hoping to arrive on Thursday.

Paul has rallied teams to support him for each stage made up of friends as well as locals from Neyland pubs.

“We have four people from the Admiral Benbow, four from the Rose & Willow, four from Gunning’s and the rest are friends.

In August 2012, Paul was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS and seven months later it worsened to secondary progressive MS.

After extensive research, the former IT worker discovered that his type of MS was being treated in a handful of countries.

He has set a target of £45,000 for the hematopoietic stem cell transplant in Mexico.

At the end of Sunday’s trek, Paul posted on Facebook: “So chuffed with all the help I've been given by some amazing friends.”

Upon reaching the Severn Bridge, the team will have their photo taken and celebrate before heading back to Pembrokeshire to rest.

However, in a month’s time, Paul aims to carry out stage two of the journey from the Severn Bridge to Surrey, where he has family.

To find out more about the fundraising campaign visit www.gofundme.com/hsctforpaul