A HOMEMADE blanket which took more than 200 hours to make has gone under the hammer to raise funds for the multiple system atrophy (MSA) Trust.

Sale resident Margaret Humphrey, her daughter Lynne Keenan and other family members started knitting the blanket last June and it was sold last week on eBay for £100.

The sale – which comes after a garden party and bake off that raised more than £800 – will go towards research in treating the rare disorder, which affects the brain.

Margaret’s daughter and Lynne’s brother, John, 64, was diagnosed with the disorder in 2007 and is why the family are keen to raise awareness of the illness.

And Lynne, who lives in France, was pleased the blanket – which has 165 wool squares – reached its target.

“I’m very happy and pleased it went well,” she said. “We had a reserve of £100 so it just made it.

“The lady who bought it was also affected by the disease – her father passed away from it last year so it has come full circle.

“The trust was very pleased it was sold and it was good that some of the older members of the family were able to contribute.”

The next fundraising project to raise funds for the trust by the family is Lynne’s nephew who is planning to run next year’s London Marathon.