A major gala evening is being held in Carlisle next week - all in aid of Tony Hopper's brave fight against motor neurone disease.

The sell-out event at the Halston next Friday, to be attended by 280 people, aims to raise cash for former footballer Hopper's "fightback fund" for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Organised by staff at Carlisle-based SH Electrical UK Ltd, the night will feature a three-course meal and live music, as well as a big charity auction and raffle.

It is hoped the night - titled "Eat, Drink and be Giving" - will raise between £3-5,000 for the MND Association's north and west Cumbria group.

Zoe Elston, office manager at SH Electrical, said it will be a night of entertainment that also helps raise awareness of the debilitating disease.

She said: "We've never done a charity event before but last year we were attending somebody else's, around the same time that the news had come out about Tony.

"It was then that we decided to do something like this.

"Steven Hewitt, our managing director, used to go to school with Tony's wife, Sue, and he's also played football with Tony. I also used to work with Sue at Cumbrian Newspapers so there are some connections there.

"We kind of lost touch over the years but when I read about what they were going through, I got in touch with Sue and asked her how she would feel if we organised a gala evening.

"She said that, although they had lots of events planned, there hadn't been a gala evening organised, so it would be a really good idea.

"The more I talked to Sue about it, the more I thought we need to do something to raise awareness, and some money, but also to have a bit of fun.

"She also put me in touch with Freda and Eric Tiffin at Penrith, who run the north and west Cumbria group of the MND Association. They are the biggest characters on the planet - I think they're brilliant, and they've been really helpful.

"I suppose I didn't really understand a great deal about motor neurone disease - but it becomes more real when it's somebody you know."

Among the auction prizes is a two-night stay for up to 16 people worth £1,800 at Hidden River House at Longtown - for more information visit www.hiddenrivercabins.co.uk

Zoe said Pioneer have donated food, which has helped bring down the price of tickets to £35. "We've had loads of great support," she said.

"The Halston have also been brilliant - and we would still be happy to hear from anyone who wanted to offer a raffle prize.

"You will get a mention on the night and we would be grateful for any extra support."

Live music will be performed by 3 River City, with a disco by Amp & Dex, with Ian Milburn the evening's compere.

MND Association representatives will be attending, along with the Hoppers. The event starts at 7pm.

Zoe added: "If we could raise between £3-5,000 that would be amazing, but it's also about raising awareness of what the charity does.

"All the money raised will stay in this area to help people affected by MND, and that's really important."

Anyone who wants to offer a raffle prize can contact SH Electrical UK Ltd on 01228 631447.

The News & Star are backing the Hoppers' bid to help others affected by MND with our Fighting Back For Tony campaign.

To support Tony's fightback fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tony-Hopper