A SALE woman diagnosed with MS earlier this year has refused to let the illness get the better of her.

Debbie Barker, 46, who lives in Ashton-on-Mersey, will take part in a sponsored walk around Leeds’ Roundhay Park, dubbed Wheel or Walk, in aid of the MS Society on Saturday.

She’ll be joining hundreds of other MS sufferers and their families to complete one of three routes around the huge park to boost the charity’s coffers.

Debbie, who works for Co-op Financial Services, is taking part with her partner Craige and together the pair hope to raise as much money as possible by completing the shortest 1.5K route so that she can walk the entire distance, despite her condition meaning she has trouble walking far.

“I suffer from MS and having been diagnosed I now realise just how many people there are in the UK with the condition,” she told Messenger.

“My MS means I’m unable to walk very far but I wanted to take part in the event. My husband will be walking alongside me – he’s been a tremendous help since my diagnosis,” she added.

Earlier this month Debbie also took part in a fashion show at the MS Society’s MS Life event in Newcastle, where she is pictured on the catwalk.

Debbie has set up an online fundraising page to help raise money for Wheel & Walk, to sponsor her go to www.justgiving.com/debbiebarker where you can give safely and securely.