A GRANDMOTHER is hoping to raise more than £8,000 for a cause close to her heart.

For the thirteenth year in a row Christine Ogden, from Smithills, is planning to raise the roof in aid of muscular dystrophy research.

The 76-year-old has been helping to raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy UK, the charity which offers information, advice, resources and support, as well as raising funds for research into the condition.

On November 18 Mrs Ogden will host her annual fundraising concert for the charity.

She said: "Last year we raised £8,500 be we definitely want to raise more this year.

"The funding is vital now because the research is progressing and there are two new ways of trying to help people with muscular dystrophy which relies on volunteers and fundraising because the government gives something but not very much.

"One support is in tablet form which helps put back protein into the muscles, which is children aged around five and still able to walk. There is also work by Professor George Dickson which looks at killing off the faulty gene.

"All these trials need money though."

Mrs Ogden grandson's Alex was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when he was just 18 months old.

She added: "He's 16 now and will never come out of his wheelchair.

"His arms are beginning to lose their muscle tone, but her never complains. He's happy."

The concert will feature the Bolton Hoover Brass Band lead by conductor Craig Mann, a student of the Royal Northern College of Music and former teacher at Canon Slade School.

Taking place at The Bridge Church Centre in Bradford Road, doors open at 7.30pm and there will laso be stalls and a raffle. Money raised will go to Muscular Dystrophy UK. For tickets call Mrs Ogden on 01204 841506.