A FUNDRAISING grandmother has handed over more than £11,000 to a charity close to her heart.

Lynne Richardson’s four-year-old granddaughter Katelyn Butterworth was diagnosed with the lifetime condition myasthenia gravis 18 months ago.

It is a condition in which the antibodies attack the signals from the brain to the muscles, causing muscle weakness and pain, and damage to the immune system.

Now Ms Richardson, a customer services officer at Hambleton District Council from Northallerton, has become a fund-raiser for the charity Myaware, which works to support families, increase awareness and fund research.

Over the last ten months she has held numerous events such as race and quiz nights, held raffles, baked and sold cakes and held online sales.

And at her last event, a coffee morning held at Northallerton Town Hall with the local Lioness Club she handed over a cheque for just over £11,120 to the charity.

“I am totally overwhelmed by all the help and support I have had over the last ten months from friends, colleagues and the district council and money is still continuing to come in,” she said.

“I can’t wait to tell Katelyn all about this, and show her the scrap book that we are compiling, ready for when she’s old enough to understand.

“The charity are so pleased with such a fantastic amount, and in raising so much more awareness.

“It really will make a difference as they rely solely on donations for research, to educate doctors and nurses and to support the families of sufferers with help and advice.”