THE carer of a Minehead multiple sclerosis sufferer is hoping to kick-start a fundraising campaign to pay for stem cell treatment after a first attempt at a pioneering procedure failed to reap the results he had hoped for.

A year ago the Free Press reported how former DJ Paul Booker, 41, was planning to fly to Bulgaria for groundbreaking 'liberation treatment' which involved widening veins to increase blood flow and oxygen supplies to the brain.

He had to take out a £5,000 bank loan to cover the medical bill and despite being adamant it would be worth every penny at the time, the procedure had little or no effect on him.

"The only balance it improved was the bank balance of the Bulgarian doctors," Paul said.

He was diagnosed with MS in 1999 and is particularly troubled by poor balance, which leaves him unable to walk long distances or carry out many simple day-to-day tasks unaided.

His limited mobility also means he is unable to exercise and that prevents him building up his strength to counter the effects of the disease.

Now his live-in carer Phil Rattray is hoping kind-hearted supporters will help Paul try a different groundbreaking procedure in an attempt to find a cure for his debilitating disease - fetal stem cell treatment.

Phil said: "Ever the optimist, Paul has continued searching for a possible cure . . . this optimistic searching has led him towards a new, much talked about procedure, fetal stem cell treatment, a medical procedure where human fetal stem cells are transplanted into a patient.

"Unfortunately, the procedure is neither available in this country nor on the NHS and as he still has a large amount outstanding on his loan, he is going to find it extremely difficult to find the £15,000 needed for both the procedure and travel to the overseas clinic."

Phil has set up an online 'giving' page via the social networking site Facebook to try and raise money to help Paul and has already received donations totalling more than £150.

"Having spoken to many friends, we are planning some charitable events locally in aid of the cause.

"As Paul was a well-known DJ, we felt that a dance event of sorts may be a suitable start, but we are still seeking some further corporate and business support and or sponsorship," Phil said.

Anyone who can help the fundraising campaign can contact Phil on 07766 948606.