An Engineering Technician from HMS Sultan, who was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, has taken on a 24-hour static bike ride to raise funds for the infusions ward at Southampton University Hospital.
Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) Michael Folliard, 29, was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in January.
Determined not to let it get him down, Michael decided to set up the fund-raising event within HMS Sultan.
Not facing the task alone, he was joined in his endeavour by supportive colleagues from across Sultan, including the Establishment’s Executive Officer and First Lieutenant, who completed hour-long stints on static bikes.
The team of cyclists covered a combined distance of 674.22 miles, with Michael contributing a massive 129.38 miles to the total.
In addition, the group raised £650 in donations for the ward where Michael is treated every four weeks.
Reflecting on living with MS, Michael said: “The big thing that I took from the specialist is that it’s highly unlikely that there will be a cure for me.
“I’ve got no feelings in my hands and I have shakes and every now and then fall and I lose my balance.
“I will always have that now for the rest of my life, so it’s coming to terms with it and taking things a little bit slower and being more careful.”
“Although it’s a unique situation for everyone, the treatment should hold the MS at the stage and provide a pretty decent standard of life until I reach my 50s or early 60s.”
“I don’t see the point in getting down about stuff, but this does put everything into perceptive though, massively.
“I used to get annoyed and angry about things in life and now I really don’t see the point anymore.”
“The biggest part of this for me is helping people who can’t help themselves and the longer I can keep doing that the happier I will be.”
To donate towards Michael’s fundraiser, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/michael-folliard
