Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro would be tough for anyone – but for multiple sclerosis suffer Stuart Levers, getting to the top proves his condition will not hold him back.
Stuart, of Woodthorpe, said he initially struggled to accept his diagnosis in 2006 but now refuses to let it rule his life.
The neurological condition, which affects around 100,000 people in the UK, causes Stuart to feel extremely tired.
The 42-year-old has pledged to raise as much money as he can for the Multiple Sclerosis Society through a series of sponsored events which last month saw him climbing the 19,341 ft Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania.
Stuart, who has relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, said: "It was Christmas Day last year when my partner Catherine said 'why don't you go and do Kilimanjaro?'. I thought it would be something that was possible.
"The main concern was how the altitude was going to affect my MS, but I felt fantastic doing it.
"There were only two of us in the group of 25 that had multiple sclerosis. We gave each other support because we understood the fatigue. We battled through it."
In 2013, Stuart completed the Three Peaks challenge - the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales - within 24 hours.
From the two challenges combined, he has raised more than £6,000 for the charity.
And he has now set his sights on tackling France's Mont Blanc in 2016.
He added: "On the challenge side of things, Mont Blanc is next on my agenda. Although it is slightly lower than Mount Kilimanjaro, it is on a different terrain, and is more of a snow-covered mountain."
The father-of-four, who has his own car bodyshop business, in Cotgrave, said he hopes that other people with multiple sclerosis can take something from his positive attitude.
He said: "You go through every emotion when you are diagnosed. You look on the internet and see pictures of wheelchairs and think that your life is going to be drastically changed. You think your world is going to end but them you think 'I might have multiple sclerosis, but it doesn't have me'.
"If you give into it then it has defeated you already, but if you battle on it is like you are forcing it away. You have to be positive with it. Multiple sclerosis, you are not going to win."
His partner, Catherine Stratford, 46, said she was proud of Stuart's achievements – but has banned him from climbing anymore mountains until after their wedding next year.
She said: "On the last day of the climb one guy was really struggling. Stuart carried his pack for him, and his own, for the rest of the journey. He is a really selfless guy who always puts others first.
"I think he is very inspiring to others and shows people that you can't let multiple sclerosis rule you. He doesn't moan about it, and never shows he is struggling in any way. He just gets on with it.
"I think in 2016 we will do something together. I will give Mont Blanc a go."
Stuart's daughter Chelsea, 20, of Cotgrave, said: "Dad has a lot of symptoms he feels, but no one else can see. The fact that he can keep pushing himself, not just for himself, but to raise money for others, is wonderful. He has always said if you put your mind to something you will be able to do it."
![Multiple sclerosis sufferer climbs mountains to prove condition will not hold him back]( "Multiple sclerosis sufferer climbs mountains to prove condition will not hold him back")
