A HAIRDRESSER who lost her aunt and grandfather to an incurable hereditary illness which attacks the brain and nervous system has raised about £2,000 for a charity which supports people affected by the disease.

Carrie-Anne Wise said she completed 26 haircuts and blow dries over 25 hours at Watkins Wright salon, in Thirsk, "running on adrenaline and lots of water" yesterday (Sunday, November 16).

Mrs Wise, of Kirklington, near Bedale, said she had "hit the wall twice" during the challenge, and for inspiration had frequently looked at pictures of her aunt, Valerie Sharp, from Bedale, North Yorkshire, who died aged 53 in the summer, after suffering from Huntington’s disease for more than ten years.

Her grandfather John Blades, from Bedale, also died from the disease.

The 34-year-old said: "It's gone really well, the salon has been heaving, and I've had fantastic support.

"The appointments sold out in two days and we could quite easily have filled them again.

“There is no cure for Huntington's disease, it can be helped initially with drugs, but so much more money is needed to research and develop these drugs and also to support the patients and families."

There are more than 6,000 people in Britain who have been diagnosed with the disease, which is caused by a faulty gene which damages nerve cells in parts of the brain.

Children whose have a parent with Huntington's have a 50 per cent chance of developing the disease.

To donate, visit virginmoneygiving.com and look for Carrie-Anne Wise.