SNOOKER champion John Spencer nearly committed suicide when he was struck down by illness twelve years ago.

But now 61-year-old Mr Spencer is planning a sponsored parachute jump to raise money to help combat the disease that nearly crippled him.

Mr Spencer of Chestnut Fold, Radcliffe, will be making the 12,000ft tandem jump at Grange Over Sands on November 1.

And he is hoping people will sponsor him to help pay for research into myasthenia gravis. After world titles in 1969, 1970 and 1977, the Radcliffe-born player was riding high, but the good times weren't to last.

In May 1985, he suffered double vision while playing in the Pontin's Tournament. The condition worsened and the next month, after four days of tests, he was diagnosed as suffering from MG and was prescribed steroids.

It started the most worrying year of his life because the specialist told him that if his ocular version of the disease had not spread to his body within twelve months then the wasting disease could be contained.

He said: "I alternated with a patch covering one eye at a time, I was terrified of every little ache and pain and, although the disease didn't spread, the steroids brought about huge mood swings."

At his lowest ebb he admits to contemplating suicide, but these days he is far more positive. "I'm looking forward to it," he said. "Parachuting is something I've always wanted to do so I thought I'd raise some money at the same time. I'm not worried at all about making the jump; mind you, that could all change once I get up there!" he laughed.

The jump is being carried out under the auspieces of the Blue Skies sponsor parachute team which assists members of the public anxious to raise funds for good causes. One of its members is local police officer Andy Hesketh.

He said Mr Spencer would be attached to an instructor during part of the jump and would freefall for the first 7,000 ft.

With 2,500 diagnosed sufferers and an estimated 50,000 unknown cases, MG can be a life-wrecking illness and funds are desperately needed for research.

If you would like to sponsor Mr Spencer you can contact him on 724 8035. A portion of the money raised will go to the Bealey Community Hospital.

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