A GRANDMOTHER is planning to walk on fire to raise funds for a charity which helped her family in its hour of need.

Last year, Christine Boyer’s husband George died less than three months after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease which leads to weakness and the wasting of muscles.

During those few months the family were supported emotionally and practically by the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Former teacher Mrs Boyer, 68, of Alchester Road, Chesterton, near Bicester, will walk across hot coals later this month to raise funds for the association.

Then, in September, her daughters Siobhan, 44, and Fiona, 34, plan to tackle the Great North Run – a half marathon on Tyneside. Mrs Boyer said: “The charity was terrific, and the best thing we can do is put something back.”

Mrs Boyer said the family noticed a change in Mr Boyer after he was involved in a car crash two years ago. He was diagnosed with the condition in August last year, and died in October, aged 72.

She will walk across a 20 ft path of burning hot coals with bare feet at Northampton County Cricket Club on March 27.

Fiona, from Langford Village, Bicester, said she and Siobhan hoped to raise £3,000 towards a breathing machine to help patients at home.

She said: “We want to do this in memory of him, try to raise some awareness of the disease – and make something positive out of it.”

The family have already raised £1,400 for the charity after a collection at Mr Boyer’s funeral.

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk To sponsor Mrs Boyer, visit justgiving.com/Christine-Boyer