A YORK multiple sclerosis victim is off to New York in the New Year in a bid to beat her crippling pain, after receiving £500 from a pub.

The Gimcrack, in Fulford Road, raised the money for Yasmin Heesom during a big fun day earlier this year.

Customers took part in bungee jumping, and the pub also organised a range of other events including a disco with live acts, children's entertainment and barbecue.

Landlord Kevin O'Neill, whose own brother-in-law died from MS, also donated 5p per pint of beer sold on the day.

Yasmin, who lives nearby, has been raising money to go to the Schachter Centre in America for complementary treatment.

She is hoping it will dramatically reduce the pain she suffers from MS, in the same way as it has helped cancer victim Gail Hepworth.

Gail, from Hemingbrough, near Selby, has come completely off morphine pain relief after receiving treatment by the clinic last autumn, following a similar fund-raising appeal.

Yasmin, 38, who lives near to the pub, has also received another £200 from girls at The Mount School, where her daughter, Bella, is a pupil.

That takes the total raised so far to more than £8,000, with her former athletics coach, Dave Curwell, promising to top it up by whatever is necessary. Yasmin was one of Britain's most promising athletes in her teens, before her illness started to ruin her life.

Dame Judi Dench has promised to give a recital in York in aid of the appeal, but this has been delayed because of work commitments and also because of her husband Michael's illness. Yasmin's carer, Debbie Walker, said Dame Judi was now hoping to give the recital in the spring.

The extra money will still be needed, even if she has already been to the clinic, because extra expenses on nutrients and supplements seem inevitable on her return.

Yasmin had at one stage hoped to travel to the Big Apple before Christmas, but the trip has now been put back to early next year.