A sell-out fundraising event where raffle prizes include a unique flying experience will boost Tony Hopper's motor neurone disease fightback fund tomorrow.

The event at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle is set to raise a four-figure sum for the MND Association.

It has been organised by four women on the same nursing course at the university as Tony's wife, Sue.

And it will be the latest example of the community rallying around the former footballer, whose story has touched the hearts of many Cumbrians.

The event, at the Calva Bar on the university's Fusehill Street campus, will be attended by about 120 people.

There will be live music from Fiona Clayton and Rory Connor, while at least 45 prizes are on offer in a major raffle.

The most sought-after may be a 30-minute flying experience for one, donated by Carlisle Flight Training.

The organisers of tomorrow's event are Louise Hogg, Melanie Glencross, Vicki Lawson and Emily McCausland.

Emily said they had not expected such a strong demand for tickets.

"It's quite a small bar so we were limited in how many tickets we could make available," she said.

"But even saying that, we didn't expect so many people to be interested - yet the response has been great.

"Tony and Sue are going to be there along with members of their family and lots of people from university.

"A couple of people from the MND Association are going to be there as well.

"With the tickets we've already sold, for the event and the raffle, we expect to have raised at least £2,000 before we've even started.

"That is fantastic for the MND Association - the more we can raise, the better."

The News & Star is also backing the Hopper family in their bid to raise at least £10,000 for the charity, with our Fighting Back For Tony campaign.

About £5,000 has already been raised, through the family's JustGiving page and other fundraising initiatives.

It follows 40-year-old Tony's diagnosis with bulbar-onset motor neurone disease.

Other raffle prizes tomorrow include a £20 voucher from Captiva Hair & Beauty, Brampton; a £30 voucher for the Stone Inn, Hayton; a £10 meat voucher from Pioneer; afternoon tea for two at Sally's Cafe, Warwick Bridge; a range of prizes from TLC Hair Design, Alston; a four-people day pass for Brampton Golf Club, a £20 voucher for Steve Wilson's butchers, Corby Hill; Sunday lunch for two and a bottle of house wine at Fantails, Wetheral, a cut and colour from Brownhair, Carlisle; a £50 voucher for Lloyd Equestrian, Carlisle, a large gift set from Avon, and a two-people day pass for Tiny Town play centre in Carlisle.

Also up for grabs are a £50 voucher for Hills Garage, Corby Hill; a Jewel Tone candle set, a Walby Farm Park family day pass, a fake tan voucher for Coco Bay, Carlisle; a teeth-whitening session with Clare Platts, Carlisle; a Caterham Lego Car worth £75; a cut and blow at Elainez Hair Salon, Carlisle, a meal and drinks for two in the university's Calva Bar; a cut and blow at Relax Hair and Beauty, Carlisle; a £25 voucher for the Blacksmiths Arms at Talkin; a £10 voucher for Orton Grange hair salon; an Energi Trampolining voucher; a £20 voucher for Bluerare; a £10 voucher for Gurkha Spicy; afternoon tea for two at Orton Grange; a Carlisle City Ghost Tour; a £20 voucher for Zenya Beauty in Carlisle; a £20 voucher for Duke Hair barber room in Carlisle; a Pompeii Steakhouse voucher, a £20 voucher for the Reiver in Carlisle; and a hand massage and facial at the Rooftop Retreat, Carlisle.

And further prizes include a fruit and veg voucher for Dalston Greengrocers; a meat hamper from Solway Meats butchers in Stanwix; selections of wine, champagne, whisky and brandy; two £25 Debenhams vouchers donated by Roland Engineering Services Ltd; a garden statue from Dalston Aggregates, and a Ted Baker nail varnish set.

Raffle tickets can be bought at the Calva Bar or by contacting Emily McCausland at emily.mccausland1@btinternet.com.

To donate to the Hoppers' fightback fund visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tony-Hopper