MEMBERS of a Motor Neurone Disease support group are taking on a mammoth DIY task to keep a Kenilworth family together.
Duane England was diagnosed with the disease – also known as ALS – in February last year and has since had to start using a wheelchair.
The 41-year-old lives in Kenilworth with his wife Tracy and two children Sophie, 8 and Josh, 12 but is struggling with daily life since his condition – which affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord – began to deteriorate.
After hearing of his illness friends banded together to form the England Family Support Group, aiming to raise money to adapt the ground floor of the family home and make it disabled friendly.
A group spokeswoman said: “The family are in urgent need of an extension to their home to enable Duane full wheelchair access, flexible living accommodation and an adapted bathroom in order to make daily living safer, easier and to keep the family together.
“We are also appealing for tradespeople – such as plumbers, tilers and electricians – or people with skills in DIY to support the project by giving their time for free and help fit the extension.”
And a home revamp isn’t all the team are planning – around 30 members will be doing the ice bucket challenge to help raise money for the Motor Neurones Disease Association.
The challenge – which involves tipping a bucket of iced water over your head and then donating to charity – has taken social media by storm with a host of famous faces taking part.
The support group’s challenge will take place at 10.30am on Sunday (September 31) at the Queen & Castle, Kenilworth.
To find out how to get involved or to help with the house extension join the England Family Support Group on Facebook.
Duane was diagnosed with the illness last year after suffering from weakness in his hands. (s)