HAIR stylist Carrie-Anne Wise and 12 year-old Wizzy Norton-Bowers - who between them have raised thousands of pounds for a devastating disease - are being spurred on after news of a potentially groundbreaking new treatment.

The pair have been brought together for the first time, although they live only a few miles apart, after being nominated for awards for their inspiring fundraising by the Huntington’s Disease Association.

Votes can be cast for Carrie-Anne, from Bedale, and Wizzy, from Northallerton, through the association’s website and the campaigners are hoping the competition will raise awareness of the catastrophic effects of the hereditary disease.

Sufferers can often appear drunk and have speech and mobility problems and researchers in London are working on new drugs to lower levels of the toxic protein which causes Huntington's - with experts reporting results of "groundbreaking importance to families."

Carrie-Anne started fundraising after her gran and aunt died. She said: “Huntington’s Disease often seems a hidden illness, the symptoms are so severe families sometimes close in to protect sufferers.

“It’s amazing although we only live a few miles apart I had no idea the Bowers family were so close until Wizzy and I were nominated. And it’s so important to have that connection, it is almost a taboo thing people don’t want to talk about it. This new potential treatment is a real boost and it is giving hope.”

Wizzy started washing cars to raise money for the association, which helps support sufferers and funds research. Ten members of his wider family have been affected including his dad.. He said: “I just wanted to raise money to help because some of my family are affected.”

Mum Laura Norton-Bowers added: “It’s lovely that Wizzy has been nominated, we are so proud of him. The only support that is on offer is through the association - they have been so good in helping us and assisting the family, we feel it is important to back them and raise funds. There doesn’t seem to be outside help from anywhere else so it’s vital they get that support.

“This potential new drug treatment is a real boost, it’s the first time there has been a breakthrough and it does give families hope."

Over the past ten years the Bowers family have raised over £30,000 for the Association and their the latest event is a ball at the Golden Lion in Northallerton in August.

To vote for Carrie-Anne or Wizzy go to hda.org.uk. For more about the ball contact lauranorton17@gamil.com.