How you can help former Mid Sussex triathlete Nick stay in his home

Nick Cook, 49, was a keen amateur triathlete and cyclist, competing successfully in local races as a founding member of the club until 2004, when his life was suddenly turned upside down by a diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

For Nick, the condition initially meant giving up his work as an electrician, along with his beloved sports.

Brad Williams, one of Nick's friends, said: "Sixteen years later, he is largely confined to a wheelchair, and is finding it increasingly difficult to move about his house in Uckfield, East Sussex, and especially to tackle the stairs, despite the installation of a stairlift.

"As a result, he needs to convert the existing garage to the side of his house into a bedroom and wet room, so he no longer has to use the stairs, and needs to create new, level wheelchair access to the front of his house and adapt his kitchen to his worsening condition.

"Nick has applied to his local council for a grant to finance the work, but has been told that it would be too expensive.

"Nick’s condition is deteriorating by the week. Urgent action is needed now to future-proof his house to help him live as normal a life as possible."

His friends and club mates, led by professional builder Graham Bond, have decided to undertake the work themselves at a significantly reduced price, estimated at £30,000 for the first phase of the work (bedroom and wet room).

A further £20,000 will be required to fund phases two and three of the work, Brad said.

This DIY SOS approach means that costs will be reduced to just 35 per cent of the full market price for undertaking the conversion work. Work is scheduled to begin in July 2020.

Brad said Nick's personal circumstances mean that converting his home is the best option, but he has been turned down for council funding for the building work.

"We are now seeking help to carry out this important work to make Nick’s life easier, as his condition inevitably worsens," Brad added.

When someone has MS, their immune system mistakes myelin, the insulating layer around nerves, for a foreign body and attacks it, leaving scars meaning messages travelling along nerve fibres are disrupted.

Myelin damage can lead to nerve damage and increase the disability, symptoms of which include problems with vision, balance and walking.

Nick said: “My mobility is worsening. Everyday tasks, like getting out of bed, getting to the bathroom, washing and cooking are becoming harder. Transferring from my wheelchair to the stairlift is becoming more difficult.

“This conversion will mean that all of the rooms I need are accessible in my wheelchair. I will also be able to get outside more easily.

"I’m grateful for the support from my friends and community. With their help I will be able to continue living my life independently, and I’ll still be included in the group.”

Local and national builders merchant and DIY stores are being asked to donate materials to the campaign. In return, they will receive a certificate for display in their premises and their contributions will be recognised online, via social media and in media coverage of the project.

Tradesmen and those with relevant expertise are being invited to donate their time to the project.

The campaign is asking supporters to donate directly via a crowdfunding campaign to enable Nick to retain his independent life in his own home https://tinyurl.com/sscm9jo.

Any donations will be gratefully received, however large or small.