THE GRIEVING family and friends of a much-loved community figure are raising money for vital research into the disease that claimed his life.

John Dalton died last month from Motor Neurone Disease aged just 53.

Already his tribute fund has raised £2,234 for the MND Association, which supports sufferers of the incurable muscle-wasting disease and their loved ones.

"My dad had just retired and was looking forward to a happy retirement," says daughter Julie, who, like all her close-knit family, was left shell-shocked when John was diagnosed with MND last September.

"Yet he found himself forced to use a wheelchair, unable to walk with my mum as his full-time carer.

"The family was hit for six.

"But the MND Association helped provide basic necessities like a special chair and a bed. They were invaluable."

John, a long-serving accountant with ICI, was a popular man within the Widnes community and had just helped secure lottery funding for a new hut at Our Lady's church in Mayfield Avenue.

The father-of-six was also head of governors at Our Lady's school where a tribute mass was recently held.

"The disease is such a brutal and quick disease," says Julie. "The more money that can be raised in his name for research and to help others the better."

MND attacks the nerve cells connected from the brain and spine to the body's muscles, causing them to gradually deteriorate.

There are around 5,000 sufferers in the UK alone, and with no known cause or cure, most die between 14 months and five years of diagnosis after increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing.

To help John's family raise money and awareness, or to share fond memories of his life, visit the website justgiving.com/johndalton.

For more information about the disease visit the website mndassociation.org

nlakeman@worldgroup.co.uk