HE was the nationally-known charity worker from the edge of the New Forest who helped discover the true number of multiple sclerosis sufferers across the country.

Mike Bray, a former chairman of the Lymington branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, has died aged 70, just six months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

Seven years ago, Mike was instrumental in establishing the full extent of the MS problem afflicting families in the UK.

He disputed the long-held assumption that “about 82,000” people had the crippling disease and embarked on a major research project that eventually unearthed a figure of more than 100,000.

Caroline Birch, lead support volunteer at the Lymington branch, said: “Mike joined us after moving to the area upon his retirement in about 2003.

“He was quickly recruited to the committee and soon became chairman, a role he managed with flair, business acumen and humour for six years.

“After that he remained on the committee as a highly-successful fundraiser – but above all he was a guide, mentor and admired friend to the rest of us. His work for the branch was immense.”

Married with three children, Mike was a retired company director who lived at Milford on Sea.

Describing his quest to establish the true number of MS sufferers in the UK, Caroline said he was angry that NHS and social services budgets were based on a figure that was not the product of detailed research.

He contacted local GPs obtaining realistic statistics for the New Forest and then Hampshire as a whole.

Following his initial research the MS Society recruited a team of experts who worked with Mike and discovered that the true number of sufferers in the UK was more than 100,000.

Caroline said: “It’s a number that is now nationally accepted and used on a daily basis by health authorities, researchers and the government.”

Mike’s success in uncovering the true extent of the MS problem led to him being nominated for a volunteer of the year award in 2010 and meeting TV newsreader Moira Stewart at the awards ceremony.

Caroline also praised his work with the New Forest Disability Information Service.

“Mike was a brilliant friend and an amusing companion as well as being an adored and adoring husband, father and grandfather,” she said.

“The branch committee is now planning an award that could be used annually to ensure his memory and work lives on.”