A TERMINALLY-ill man has set himself the target of raising a million pounds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Alan Hedges, 67, said his dying wish is to raise money to help find a cure for the disease.

Alan was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) last March, and told he had probably been suffering from it for about 18 months.

The progressive disease attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord, and can affect how sufferers walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe.

Alan and his wife Wendy have begun raising money for the charity since his diagnosis.

The couple, who live in Leyburn Road, Blackburn have planned at least one event per month for the next six months, including bakeathons, swimathons, and a sponsored walk, and have raised £500 so far.

Wendy, 67, said: “His idea is to get five or six things happening over the next six months. In his words, he wants to raise a million pounds before he kicks the bucket.”

Talented artist Alan has also been selling drawings for the charity.

Wendy said: “It keeps him going, He’s still got the use of his arms. He keeps drawing all the time. If he loses that I don’t know what would happen.”

Wendy said Alan has lost the ability to speak and swallow, and the family, including their two sons, and four grandchildren, do not know how long he has left to live. She said: “He thinks it’s about five or six years, but with MND nobody knows, it goes differently with everybody, it could be six months, we don’t know.

“ It’s awful, it’s very difficult to come to terms with.

It’s hard to watch him, it’s like you’re grieving all the time, you’re grieving for the person that was, it’s horrible.”

Wendy said Alan wants to find a cure to prevent other families from going through what they have.

The couple have organised an event for Saturday at the Natural Therapy Rooms at Blackburn Rovers Enterprise Centre to raise money.

A 30-minute massage, facial, manicure, or pedicure will cost £13, and two treatments will cost £25. Alan’s paintings will also be on sale on the day.

To book a treatment, call Wendy on 01254 665 341, or Christine on 0752 7056167.

To donate, visit http://www.justgiving.com/AlanHedgesfightback.