ARTIST Ian Thomlinson is inviting people to support a cause close to his heart.

Ian and his wife Sheila, from Cranage, raised £1,400 for the Huntingdon’s Disease Association with a sale of Ian’s paintings, raffle and a coffee morning organised by Sheila.

Ian’s niece Joanne Hague is taking part in the London Marathon for the association, and has raised £1,581 towards her £2,000 target.

Joanne’s mum Helen Braithwaite – whose maiden name was Baskerville – was born in Cranage, has been battling Huntingdon’s Disease for almost 20 years, and Helen’s late father, grandfather and aunt had the disease.

Ian and Sheila’s extended family have raised more than £100,000 for the association, and Ian staged a week-long exhibition and sale of his paintings at Holmes Chapel Library for the association.

He had 24 paintings on show, of which he sold 14, and the exhibition culminated with a coffee morning.

Ian founded and runs Cranage Art Club, and is a member of Goostrey and Holmes Chapel Art Club.

Sheila thanked everyone who bought Ian’s paintings and supported the coffee morning and raffle.

Joanne has one of the association’s 10 gold places for the London Marathon, which means she has to raise £2,000.

Anyone who would like to support her marathon challenge can do so at virginmoneygiving.com/JoanneHague1

“On April 22 I will be attempting to run the London Marathon to raise funds and awareness for Huntington’s Disease,” she said.

“Huntington’s is a cruel disease that affects nearly 10,000 people in the UK.

“My mum has HD, and my dad has committed to care for mum on a full-time basis.

“I wanted to challenge myself to do something that is really tough, and I will be thinking of mum, dad and my sister Clare during this challenge as well as all the other families affected by this awful disease.

“I’m sure raising money and awareness will help me train and get me to the finish line.

“Who knows what the future will be for our family, but with the recent news of a successful first phase of a trial drug there is hope things will improve for us and those affected by the disease into the future.”