FORMER soldier Gregor Grant served in Northern Ireland, Beirut and Bosnia before he was struck down by multiple sclerosis.

Now his family and friends hope to help research into the disease by raising £10,000 through an ambitious 'yomp' through the Scottish Highlands.

Gregor's brother, former detective constable Denis Grant, and friends, retired police constable Mick Male and former regimental sergeant major John Hunt want to walk the West Highland Way within five days.

The trio, known as Gregor Grant's Highland Army, are appealing to companies and individuals in Swindon to sponsor the 95-mile trek in the wilds of Scotland, set to take place in May.

Gregor, 47, of Stratton St Margaret, was a career soldier who rose to Captain in the Queen's Dragoon Guards.

He was medically discharged on Boxing Day last year after he was diagnosed with MS.

He served on two tours of Northern Ireland, saw action in Beirut and completed six months' duty in Bosnia, where he was involved in rebuilding a school.

Gregor, who is married to Susan and has two children Fiona, 18, and Andrew, 15, is now confined to an electric wheelchair for most of the day but has been accepted for the cannabis medical trial researching the effect of the drug on relieving the effects of the disease.

He said: "I had a good life in the army. I enjoyed being a trooper and being a captain and I was hoping to stay in the army until I was 55.

"The MS came as a kick in the teeth, but I am hoping the cannabis trial will be able to help."

The £10,000 raised will be given to the MS Society, which is investing £8 million in medical research over the next four years.

Other sponsorship events being planned include a charity disco at the TA Centre in Church Place, Rodbourne, on April 26.

For further information on making a donation to the MS Society, contact Denis on 01793 480437.

www.mssociety.org.uk