Teacher Jason Olynyk is limbering up for a tough assignment later this year - but it is not of the classroom kind.

The Mount St. Agnes Academy worker is hoping to raise $9,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Bermuda by completing the New York Marathon in November, and is appealing for businesses to help.

Mr. Olynyk, 32, said he was inspired to take part in the race when he discovered what it cost one of his closest friends, Tressa Moroz, to receive treatment for MS.

He said she must take a needle every day, costing $1,000 a month, the majority of which was met by her local MS Society in Canada.

But the teacher said similarly, the MS Society of Bermuda also forks out thousands of dollars every year to assist their members with medication costs.

"The purpose of the MS Society of Bermuda is to provide financial aid to those who suffer with MS, as well as to research programmes, educate the public and offer support," said the charity fundraiser.

"(It) was founded in 1991 and has very limited funding. I have set myself a goal of raising $9,000. Tressa is very close to me, and I wanted to help with MS in some way, but didn't know how.

"I'm not a doctor, but I thought I could raise money. God has given me a lot of gifts."

Mr. Olynyk said new approved drugs on the market were able to alleviate MS symptoms, but were extremely expensive.

And, in addition, he said sufferers in Bermuda often had to travel overseas for follow up treatments.

The teacher said the New York Marathon on November 3 would be his third race. On May 24 last year, he raised more than $1,000 for MS, and has also taken part in the London Marathon.

But he said this was the first time he had approached the business community for donations. Some smaller companies have already started to respond to his requests for financial aid, but he is hoping many more follow suit soon.

"I've started training and it's going well," said Mr. Olynyk.

"I did an 18-mile run last week and felt pretty good afterwards. I did it in two-and-a-half hours and beat my personal best by five miles, so I was pleased about that.

"But the main goal for me with the New York Marathon is for me to raise the money and finish injury free.

"If I do that, I will have achieved my goal."

MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, which usually attacks young adults ages 20 to 40.

It's symptoms include slight blurring, numbness, poor co-ordination, spasms, loss of bladder control and complete paralysis.

Any individuals or businesses who would like to donate to the MS charity fundraiser can make cheques payable to the MS Society of Bermuda. They can mail them to Mr. Olynyk at MSA, PO Box HM 1004, Hamilton HM DX, or call him on 292-5562 and he will collect them.