A GRANDMOTHER who decided to begin fundraising for a charity which supports her granddaughter, has managed to raise nearly £3,000 within a few weeks.

Lynne Richardson’s three-year-old granddaughter Katelyn was diagnosed with the rare disease Myasthenia Gravis, towards the end of last year. The condition is caused by the body’s immune system attacking the communication system between the brain and muscles, causing muscle weakness and fatigue.

Lynne, from Northallerton, decided several weeks ago to raise funds and awareness of the small charity, Myaware, which helps sufferers.

The Hambleton District Council worker began her fundraising after putting it forward as the chosen charity for the authority's monthly staff fundraising day in April. The day raised £360.

Since then she has been overwhelmed with the generosity of local businesses who have donated prizes for raffles she has organised.

Her son, Gareth Richardson, an air traffic controller is also planning to run ten 5k and 10k races to raise further funds, while Katelyn's mother, Hayley Butterworth, who lives in Leeds with Katelyn, is also taking part in sponsored run next month.

Local pubs in Northallerton, including the Golden Lion, The Oddfellows Arms and The Nags Head have also got involved with quiz nights and bingo nights.

So far, Lynne has raised more than triple her original fundraising target of £1,000 by raising just over £3,000.

"It's great to get so much support locally," she said.

"People have been so generous. One quiz night in the middle of the week at the Nag's Head raised £360 because everyone who won in the quiz gave every single penny back."

The next event will be a bingo night at The Black Bull in Great Smeaton on Saturday, June 27.