CRAFTY friends have pulled together, making a blanket to raise money for the multiple system atrophy (MSA) Trust.

Sale resident Margaret Humphrey and her family have been knitting squares to make the blanket since last June, following the success of a garden party and bake off which raised over £800 for the trust.

Margaret was inspired to raise awareness and money for the charity after her son John, aged 64, was diagnosed with the rare disorder in 2007.

Multiple system atrophy is a neurological disorder with no known cause. It’s associated with the degeneration of brain cells causing many problems, including movement, balance and blood pressure regulation.

To raise money for research into this rare disorder, Margaret, with family and friends knitted 165 wool squares ready to make a blanket.

As they prepared to finish the work, Margaret broke her shoulder and was unable to sew. S

he contacted the Messenger, hoping to find someone to help and was delighted when Pat Coulburn, from Sale Civic Society, offered her time and handiwork and they have now completed the blanket.

Pat said: “Reading in the Messenger of John’s devastating and debilitating condition, about which so little is known, I was very moved.

“The situation,dedication and generosity of the Humphrey friends, who knitted squares towards a blanket for raffling to raise research funds prompted me to answer the plea for someone to crochet the squares together. Apart from the satisfaction of completing the task, I’ve also gained some very good friends.”

For further details about MSA visit msatrust.org.uk