A terminally-ill father who was trying to raise £30,000 for life-changing treatment abroad has been told he may be able to have it free of charge in the UK.

Wayne Deane, 38, was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in January 2012 and is now wheelchair-bound.

He was offered a glimmer of hope from the prospect of having haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Russia but faced the challenge of coughing up thousands of pounds.

Despite a gallant effort from friends and family, including best mate Leon Shepherd who swam a sponsored three miles of Faversham Pools, they have so far raised £4,500 - but now he may not need the money after all.

A doctor has offered Wayne a potential lifeline, suggesting he is the “perfect candidate” to have the treatment at King’s College Hospital in London and it could be a matter of weeks before he finds out whether he will be admitted.

Wayne, a former Abbey School pupil, said: “I am not getting my hopes up until I have a date for my hospital admission but I am feeling positive.

“I am definitely not saying that this is my solution but it is definitely a step in the right direction, and not a step backwards which is what I have been doing for a while.”

PPMS is an incurable condition, with patients having more difficulty walking, working, and doing every day things we all take for granted.

Differing from multiple sclerosis, there are never any periods of remission.

Despite a number of risks, the MS Trust, based in the UK, has found that HSCT can reduce inflammation, reduce the number of relapses, and slow down the progression of disability.

Wayne had to give up his job working for the London Underground and has suffered loss of grip in his left hand, worsened sight and memory, and has less capability to read and write.

Wayne, of St Saviour’s Close, hopes he can overcome his illness so he can create a future with his sons Lars, 19, and Brandon, 13, and girlfriend Claire Lambert.

If the free treatment goes ahead, all money raised so far will be donated to local charities.