Fundraising Poker night for Dungiven couple dealing with devastating diagnosis

Letitia Hutchinson, after months of struggling and tests, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) on the 26th of May last year, just two months after her 40th birthday,

MND is a condition for which there is currently no cure. It is a rare condition affecting the brain and nerves.

Symptoms of MND include muscle weakness, twitches, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing. The symptoms get worse over time.

Motor neurone disease happens when cells in the brain and nerves, called motor neurons, gradually stop working. It's not known why this happens.

Letitia has been living with the disease for over a year now, and her husband Paul has had to stop working to become her full-time carer.

A poker fundraiser has been organised for August 12 in the Dungiven GAA club to help raise vital funds for the family.

Family and friends have also set up this GoFundMe to allow people to donate to the family.

The GoFund me page has already raised over £11,000 due to the community's generosity.

Paul and Letitia said: "We would like to thank all our family and friends for all they have done and the entire community for their kindness, generosity and how they come together to support us in this difficult time."

You can donate to the family's fundraiser via the link.

The poker fundraiser will be held at St Canice's GAC in Dungiven on August 12 from 3pm.