A TALENTED blues guitarist who had to give up playing after developing a debilitating condition is planning a fundraiser to help a charity which “has stood by him” since his diagnosis.

Andy Fiore was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2010, having begun to feel symptoms three months before.

Despite a course of steroids which are regularly used to treat MS, the 61-year-old former software engineer had a relapse in 2011.

He says specialists then told him his condition could be treated either by losing feeling below his waist or in parts of his body above his waist.

Mr Fiore, of Park Road, Wivenhoe, said: “I found myself in a position where I had to chose one or the other.

“In the end, I opted for the treatment which basically left me with paralysis in my arms, hands and fingers.

“My chest is fine but the further you go along my arms, the less feeling I have.

“Now, if I pick up a guitar, I have no idea whether my fingers are on the fretboard or not.”

Mr Fiore, who had played bass guitar since he was 13-years-old, added: “MS basically took my hands away from me.

“When you get something like MS, it radically changes your life.

“I had to discover if I could still work - I was a software engineer at the time and, of course, there were going to be difficulties, especially since my attention span probably didn’t lend itself to software engineering given when I call the ‘brain fog’.”

After attempting to go back to work, the bassist soon found he could no longer carry out his role.

He added: “You don’t like to admit you are disabled and you need all the help you can get.”

Mr Fiore is now a regular at the MS-UK gym, based in Hythe, Colchester, where the national charity’s headquarters are also based.

He added: “They have really stood by me and there is a really great facility there for people with MS.”

Mr Fiore added: “In the long-term, if I don’t do anything I will definitely feel myself getting worse but I know I get some good from being there.

“But there is no prospect of me waking up and being able to play again unfortunately.”

The charity show, which takes place at Colchester Arts Centre on June 11, will feature Chris Allard, Ramon Goose, Daryl Kellie and Jon Hart - all of whom have featured on BBC radio sessions.

Tickets cost £20 and all proceeds will go to MS-UK.

The fretless bass specialist added: “I really love my music.

“When I could play, before my hands were taken away from me. I played with these guys and they were the best I have ever played with.

“I’ve called the event ‘virtuosity’ because these guys really are virtuosos and I can guarantee people an incredible performance.”

Tickets can be bought at colchesterartscentre.com or by calling 01206 500900.

Mr Fiore is also appealing for anyone with recording equipment to come forward to capture the event. He hopes to sell copies of the performance, the proceeds of which will also go to MS-UK.

To get in touch, email Andy.Fiore@outlook.com.