A FITNESS group have used their weekly workout session to raise money for a cause close to its members hearts.

The class, who meet every week at St John the Baptist Church, Alexandra Road, Andover, have raised hundreds of pounds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Members were deeply saddened by the news that the husband of one of their members had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) earlier in the year.

And so they decided to band together and direct their efforts towards the charity that fights to tackle the disease.

The group’s fitness instructor, Anne Horner, said: “Every year we raise money for good causes and this year we agreed to donate the money to the Motor Neurone Disease Association in support of our friend.

“It is the only national charity focussed on MND care, research and campaigning.”

Overall a total of £300 was raised and a cheque was presented to Pamela Fry, a representative of the charity.

MND is a rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, attacking the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work.It kills a third of sufferers within a year of diagnosis, and more than half within two years. There is curently no cure and it affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time.