The Manx MSA Trust has received a donation of £1,000, which was raised during a carol event.

Members of St Matthew’s Church, Douglas, presented the Manx MSA Trust with the amount, which was raised during the evening of carols and readings held in December.

Niall Carey, head of communications for the charity, said: ’A huge thanks to John and his fantastic choir for a wonderful evening and for supporting the Manx MSA Trust.

’All funds raised go towards the main objectives of the charity to provide a hub for Manx MSA patients and their families, to raise awareness of the illness and to help fund research to find an earlier diagnosis through a simple blood test.’

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a neurologial disorder that can affect movement and balance.

The charity was founded to provide support and spread awareness of this rare disease around the island.

Around a hundred people generously donated towards the initiative during the carol event, which was organised and conducted by John Riley.

The 60-strong choir included performances from soloists Ruth Tickle, Jane Mayne and Timothy Riley, accompanied by Gareth Moore, who sang traditional Christmas carols and readings from excerpts like the ’Messiah’.