Karenza Morton talks to former Saints star Danny Wallace who is competing in the London Marathon for other MS sufferers...

"DON'T stop me now, I'm having such a good time, I'm having a ball."

Danny Wallace, Saints legend and one-time Manchester United star makes his way slowly but efficiently to the centre of the room.

"Don't stop me now. Don't stop me now, I don't want to stop at all."

Deliberate or not, the song words accompanying Wallace's every tentative yet determined step could not be more pertinent for a man who was dealt a cruel hand while at the height of his prowess but is now more ready than ever to show the world he still has plenty to offer.

As he graciously accepts the standing ovation, which greets his arrival centre stage at his testimonial dinner, the Queen lyrics flooding the room typify everything Wallace has battled to achieve over the past decade.

You couldn't stop him now if you wanted to.

In January 1995, aged just 31, Wallace was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

For the first five years, all he wanted to do was hide - hide from the reality of confronting the disease, hide from the public, hide from himself.

Just at a time when the Premiership was beginning to turn footballers into millionaire superstars, having a good time was about as far removed from Wallace's mind as possible.

Whereas for years as a pacy winger, outfoxing full-backs with his multitude of tricks was all Wallace, a dedicated married father-of-three, worried about, now simply putting one foot in front of the other with the help of a cane required precision thought.

But that was then.

The Wallace that stood confident, dignified yet humble in front of the 200 or so assembled ex-footballers, family members, Saints fans, businessmen and charity supporters at the St Mary's dinner two weeks ago has a better plan.

That plan is the soon-to-be-launched Danny Wallace Foundation - using his name to raise money to help others suffering from the disease.

"I do feel it's a disease that's a bit misunderstood," Wallace explains as we stand discussing the venture in a corridor, live music from festivities pumping through the walls and the occasional reveller having had their Friday night quota of alcohol sticking their head round the door offering their tuppence worth.

"People aren't really aware of MS and I think that's where I can make a difference.

"For the first five years I felt very sorry for myself, I didn't want to believe I had MS and I never let it hit me. I just feel now I need to be doing something and not sitting in the house festering away.

"The foundation will allow me to do all the things I want to for the MS Society like dinner dances, golf days, football matches etc."

Saints greats such as Jimmy Case, Mark Dennis, Steve Williams, as well as his twin brothers Rod and Ray, have all turned out in force, suited and booted, to support the Wallace cause.

And he is clearly moved about their being there.

"I've had overwhelming support and I really feel I can use that support to help other people with the disease.

"It means a hell of a lot that everyone turned up and to see all these people again has been an absolute thrill. For all my old team-mates to come and support me made it a very special night."

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young people.

It occurs when a break down of myelin, the substance which surrounds and protects nervous fibres, hinders the transmission of messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

This results in symptoms such as pain, deadening fatigue and problems with sight, mobility and co-ordination.

There are currently around 85,000 MS sufferers in the UK with about 50 people being diagnosed every week.

And the most common age-group for diagnosis is between 20 and 40 while women are twice as likely to develop MS than men.

MS stays with you for life but treatments and specialists can help sufferers manage the symptoms well.

And although the cause is not known and a cure not yet identified, intensive research continues into all aspects of the condition.

It is that research Wallace wants to help fund through the foundation.

And his first major project is already in the pipeline - the small matter of the London