Two friends from St Neots who live with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) have joined forces to host a "spectacular" event raising almost £20,000 for the charities who support them.

Father of two, Lee Taylor and John Woods, held the charity ball at the St Neots Priory Centre on March 4 and will split the money equally between Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and the MND Association.

The Hunts Post: John and Tracey Woods (left) with Lee and Tracey Taylor (right) together at the charity ball.John and Tracey Woods (left) with Lee and Tracey Taylor (right) together at the charity ball. (Image: Tracey Woods)

Lee said: "We wanted to raise much-needed money for the MND Association to help people fight this disease, and the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, which provides palliative and end-of-life care in Cambridgeshire.

"We sold out before the tickets went on sale. The night was truly amazing, and we raised so much awareness and funds.

"Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a success."

Lee was diagnosed with bulbar onset MND IN 2019 and met John, the owner of St Neots Windows, through mutual friends when John was diagnosed with MND in August 2021.

The Hunts Post: John Woods and wife Tracey.John Woods and wife Tracey. (Image: Woods Family)

John's wife, Tracey Woods, said that both have been a real support for each other and that they have since formed a "really strong friendship and bond."

Both hosted the event with many of John's business contacts and suppliers making generous donations and sponsoring raffle and auction prizes.

READ MORE: St Neots Windows celebrate 25 years of trading

Lee's wife, Tracey, said: "Another of my wonderful husband's dreams has come true! He has hosted many charity events, and there will be more to come, but he had his heart set on holding a charity ball.

READ MORE: Overwhelming response to MND charity walk

"He has such a positive attitude to life and is a fantastic father and husband."

An "amazing" committee of volunteers helped organise the event and ensured it was a "huge success".

The Hunts Post: Lee Taylor with wife Tracey and their two children.Lee Taylor with wife Tracey and their two children. (Image: Arthur Rank Hospice Charity)

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity's chief executive, Sharon Allen OBE and medical director, Dr Lorraine Petersen, were invited to speak about the holistic support they provide and the weekly Addenbrooke's MND clinic hosted at the Hospice, which Lee attends.

Sharon said: "Money raised from John and Lee's Charity Ball will help us provide holistic care for more people in Huntingdon, St Neots and across Cambridgeshire.

"We are so grateful to have been part of this fantastic evening and to the many people, local businesses and supporters who helped fundraise."

What is MND?

MND is a muscle-wasting disease where the muscles stop working because the neurones from the brain stop sending signals to the muscles.

Eventually, the person suffering cannot move, talk or eat and vital funds are needed to help find a cure.

If you would like to support Lee and John's Charity Ball, you can donate online at https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/lee-and-johns-charity-ball.