A SAILOR with multiple sclerosis is taking 65 adults from 15 countries with the same condition on a week-long journey.

Brighton-based skipper Robert Munns wants to give people the same positive experiences he has enjoyed despite having the illness.

In May The Oceans of Hope Challenge will take place in Croatia and its key aim is to bring people together whose lives are touched by MS.

Robert, 47, said: “My MS diagnosis in 2008 was life changing because it is such a vicious illness with no cure.

“But by creating a sailing adventure I realised that I could help to change the perception of multiple sclerosis by showing others that there is life after diagnosis.

“It is possible that in just one week people with a chronic disease can be empowered to conquer their individual challenges.

“I want to tell the world that disability can be changed to ability, that people diagnosed with MS should not stop trying to improve their lives.

“The Oceans of Hope Challenge wants to create quality of life and value.

“We will show everyone that we live our lives to the fullest and that dreams can once again come true, despite having a serious disease.

“We’ll be saying, “Yes, we can still do it!”

There will be a flotilla of ten sailing boats during the challenge.

The week-long adventure gives participants the opportunity to challenge themselves making the impossible possible.

On a flotilla sailing challenge each person has the chance to take command of the boat and their lives and everyone has a valuable part to play, as well as contributing to an enjoyable life at sea.

The inaugural Oceans of Hope Challenge in 2016 was a huge success and the 2017 Challenge is already fully subscribed.

So Robert is now working on a series of challenges for 2018.

To do all of this he is looking for more volunteer support and the unenviable task of raising £30,000 to make it happen.

If you would like to become a corporate supporter email Robert at challenge@sailingsclerosis.com.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition of the central nervous system.

In MS the coating around nerve fibres is damaged causing a range of symptoms.

More than 100,000 people in the UK have MS.

Symptoms usually start in your 20s and 30s and it affects almost three times as many women as men.

Once diagnosed MS stays with you for life but treatments and specialists can help you to manage the condition and its symptoms.

No-one knows the cause and there is no cure, but research is progressing fast.

Go to www.ms-uk.org for more information.