CHAMPION health campaigner Ryan McLaughlin has launched a social networking site.

Schoolboy Ryan, pictured, has won awards for his Shine on Scotland campaign, which aims to give free vitamin D to every child and pregnant mother as a preventitive measure against Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

He was inspired after during a trip to Australia, his own mum's MS symptoms were alleviated The 16-year-old, from Drumchapel, has now launched social networking website, Shine On MS, which aims to bring sufferers of the disease together.

Similar to Facebook, the site allows those affected by MS to set up a profile, share information and highlight projects being carried out to tackle the disease.

The sophisticated platform will also allow Ryan to launch, manage and support campaigns and logistics at one digital base.

The site offers many applications and tools available on Facebook and Bebo, plus members have the ability to enjoy live chat, free blogs and member forums.

Inspirational Ryan, who was named Winner of Young Scot of the Year 2011 for 'Health', told the Post: "To have a platform to allow us to bring everyone with a connection to MS together on a single website, who share the same goal in ending MS, is a really great tool in the war to help beat MS.

"It's simple - we are stronger together fighting together. If we combine the resources of MS charities worldwide and use the power of social media I believe we can get politicians to sit up and listen and then to act - we can end MS - stop the pain and end the misery.

"MS is still being ignored by politicians and governments and now I want to make a stand for MS.

"I want action taken by world leaders to begin work on a road map for ending MS with a generation.

"I believe those with MS deserve nothing less." Shine On MS also brings together MS groups, researchers, campaigners and activists.

Ryan's dad Alan was instrumental in setting up the site.

Alan said: "Considering we've got MS organisations from Australia, from all over the UK, the US and we've now got two members from Italy and Russia, it's growing fast.

"The website automatically recognises the language when you sign up, so say when you sign up from Russia it will ask you your language and it will convert to that.

"There's going to be a radio station on there and there will be experts on to give talks on MS and new meds." Users can share, get support and interact with other members at www.shineonms.com