A ROYAL Mile marathon mission will help a Peeblesshire powerwalker raise vital cash.

Helen Highley of Macbiehill, and three friends will battle Edinburgh Fringe Festival crowds as they attempt to walk the length of the street 26 times on August 16.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland will benefit from the women’s charity challenge during the biggest arts festival in the world.

Helen and her friend Penny Thompson both have a personal connection to multiple sclerosis (MS).

Their walking pals Michelle Sinclair and Mags Doyle signed up to support the cause too.

Helen said: “My daughter-in-law Karine was diagnosed with primary progressive MS last year.

“She tackles everything MS throws at her with a wicked sense of humour, and she has been an absolute inspiration to us.

“Karine could have fallen in a heap, but she’s put her energy into regaining her mobility and getting on with life.

“As a family we all want to keep a positive focus, so are putting our energy into raising funds and awareness. As there is currently no cure for MS, funding research is absolutely vital.

“However, the very practical support Karine has received from the MS Society has been essential too - to help her mobility she’s recently received a grant for a functional electrical stimulation (FES) machine, which wouldn’t be available on the NHS.” Penny told the Peeblesshire News: “My friend Jen has had MS since 1991 and seeing and understanding how debilitating MS can be I decided to raise awareness and fundraise through my walking.

“Jen’s high spirits and attitude to life are amazing despite everything MS throws at her.

“She is a true inspiration. “During our challenge we’ll be letting the Royal Mile crowds know what we are doing and making sure that they have their donations ready when we pass them again on our way back up or down the Mile.” More than 11,000 people in Scotland have MS. Symptoms include loss of vision, fatigue and increasing disability.

The MS Society funds research, provides information and fights for better treatment and care to help people with MS.

Nicola Sinclair, Head of Fund-raising and Marketing at the MS Society said: “We’re delighted that this group of friends is taking on this challenge to raise funds to support our work – it’ll be tough but worth it!

“It’s a great opportunity to raise awareness of MS amongst the many people who will be enjoying the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on the Royal Mile this August.” More than two million people around the world have MS, it’s a condition that touches many lives.

The MS Society is the biggest charitable funder of MS research in the UK and it’s with the support of our fantastic fund-raisers that we will beat MS.” For more info there is a just giving page at: www.justgiving.com/RoyalMileMarathon2014 www.fb.com/RoyalMileMarathon