A TOP chef struck down by an incurable disease has launched a major charity drive.

Three weeks ago, Dave Hainsworth's world fell apart when he was diagnosed as suffering from motor neurone disease.

Doctors do not know what causes the debilitating ailment, which kills three people every day in the UK and affects one in 50,000.

Life expectancy varies, but on average is only two to five years, as all the body's muscles give way to the wasting disease. It leaves people unable to walk, talk, or feed themselves and there is no cure.

Mr Hainsworth, of Neville Walk, Richmond, told The Northern Echo he did not want sympathy, but did want to raise public awareness and funds to help search for a cure.

The 46-year-old, who is married to Vivienne and has a 13-year-old daughter, Rebecca, is head chef at The Palmer Flatts Hotel, at Aysgarth, Wensleydale.

"I first noticed it in my left arm, a loss of strength," he said. "I had a lumbar puncture and they also passed electricity through me and found it in my shoulder and legs.

"The Motor Neurone Disease Association provides help for people with it. They give out a lot of equipment and are very good, as I am finding out."

Now he wants to help the charity by raising as much money as possible with an off-roading day at Thoralby, near Aysgarth in the Yorkshire Dales, on January 7.

"I've always been stupid about Land Rovers, since I was about 13," said Mr Hainsworth, who is a member of the North-East Rover Owners Club, and has had about ten.

"I've got a Series III with a 3.9 litre engine and a roll cage. It's great fun. It's little boys playing with toys in mud. On the day we want as many folk there as possible."

The off-roading trial will test the skill of drivers and the durability of their machines, in a variety of rough conditions.

The course has been provided free of charge by landowner Brian McGregor, of Old Hall Farm, Thoralby, with a buffet provided afterwards at the Palmer Flatts.

There are a host of donated prizes to be won and the event is being sponsored by Ripon Land Rover.

Staged from 9.30am to 5.30pm, the entry fee is £12 per driver. For more information contact Mr Hainsworth on (07866) 663952