A CANCER survivor and multiple sclerosis sufferer is climbing a New Zealand mountain to raise money for two charities as a celebration of life.

Nicholas Brown, 59, was diagnosed with MS when he was just 23-years-old and as a result has experienced periods when he was unable to walk, problems with balance, temporarily losing the sight in one eye, fatigue and a lack of feeling in his feet.

To add to this, when he was 52-years-old, Mr Brown, of Grove Park, Chiswick, found out he had prostate cancer but after successful surgery he was cured. Talking about his prostate cancer, he said: "Mine was caught early and I can assure you that it's a great deal better than being dead!"

Two years after that his gall bladder was taken out because of a growth but his matter of fact attitude means he has just seen it as another bump in the road.

Last year, he also had a metal bar put into his toe after the joint disintegrated due to years of walking badly because of MS.

In honour of all the help the MS Society and Prostate Cancer UK have provided him with, Mr Brown is raising money with the aim of climbing Mount Aspiring in New Zealand's South Island in December this year.

He can also now walk without pain and decided the best way to test his foot was to walk up a mountain he saw on television, Mount Aspiring, which he described as 'breathtakingly beautiful'.

He said: "With grateful thanks to all those who have looked after me I'm still standing, smiling and celebrating life. I'm looking forward to standing on the peak of the mountain with my best mate and trainer Luke, who will climb with me.

"I'd like you to join that celebration by supporting my chosen charities. They help so many people who have not been as lucky as I.”

He has already raised £3,040 and wants to hit £10,000 to give to the two charities.

The 3,033 metre climb will take 16 hours over two days to cross a glacier, into the valley and then back to the base.

The MS sufferer says he cannot wait to get started and has already been training in the gym and going on long hikes and walks.

In Hounslow alone, there are 300 people living with MS which has no cure and few effective treatments.

To sponsor Nicholas, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NicholasicBrown