A MULTIPLE Sclerosis sufferer who has fought against her illness to become a national triathlete is now trying to inspire other sufferers to get active.

Trish Deykin, 36. from Milton Coombe, started getting into triathlons seven years ago and was told she could be quite successful — until she was diagnosed with MS.

She said: 'I thought it was the end of the world, I thought I would end up in a wheel chair.

'I was told to stop doing triathlons by my neurologist. I did stop for a while but I got a bit bored, so I entered one, came first and got the bug again.

'Since then I have done two European Championships.

'Last year, I was looking like I was going to get a medal, but I had to stop because I got a lung infection.

'I qualified for this year but had to pull out of it due to funding reasons but I have already qualified for next year which takes place in Turkey.

'I did a local Plymouth triathlon in July and was the first female by 12 minutes — I was on a mission that day!

'I also recently did a National Championship triathlon in Milton Keynes and came second in my age group and seventh overall.'

Trish said the MS did affect her competing as she had to train and take part in competitions that were in the morning, as that was when she has the most energy.

It also affected her balance meaning that some days she could not stay on her bike or when she was running she could 'fall into a hedge'.

'I do pay the price,' said Trish, 'I am often ill the day after a triathlon but I think that's better than thinking "what if".

'I've been told by the neurologists it is helping my MS. I listen to my body, if I'm having a bad day I won't train and I won't beat myself up about it.

'I want to help people with MS believe that it is not the end of the world.

'It doesn't matter what you do, just get moving.'