WHEN teenager Charlene Wilkinson was told her grandfather Paul had motor neurone disease she decided then and there she would dedicate her future to his care.

Paul Wilkinson, of Park South, made the headlines in April this year after offering his support to those facing a similar illness.

His selfless attitude seems to run in the family after Charlene, 19, from Moredon, dropped out of her training to be a social worker at the University of Bath in Swindon to look after him.

She said: "I ditched university, came home and told my mum that when the time comes that my granddad needs to be looked after I want to be the one to do it.

"Mum wasn't happy at first and told me that my granddad would never agree to it but it's something I wanted to do and now that I am I enjoy knowing that I am helping people."

Paul, 61, said: "It was a very emotional moment for us. We were sat around the kitchen table and I said to her, are you sure you want to look after me, to wash me, to help and dress me when the time comes?' and she said yes'.

"It was the most wonderful moment in my life. She is so special to me and what she is doing is wonderful. I'm very proud."

Paul was diagnosed with the degenerative disease last year. It has already affected his legs and is slowly moving up his body.

Doctors have told him that it will reach his heart and lungs within three years.

But in spite of the anticipated speed in which the disease would take over his body, Paul has defied the doctor's predictions by remaining on his feet.

"They told me that next time I went for a check-up I would need a wheelchair but here I am still walking on crutches." he said.

"It's given me hope that this disease is moving slower than anticipated.

"I haven't got my head in the clouds. I know it will never get better but the slower it takes hold the longer I have with my family and my granddaughter."

For Paul, motor neurone disease is not something that holds him back but something that helps him give others hope. For the last two months he has been visiting patients at Great Western Hospital as part of the hospital's voluntary visitor scheme.

He said: "I like to think I inspire them in some way. I'm not a martyr but I like to think that if I can lead a decent life with motor neurone disease then they can hope for the same with whatever they are suffering from."

Anyone who wants to get in touch with Paul can ring him on 01793 348157.