A TEENAGE supermarket worker has sold hundreds of tickets for a variety show he is organising to fund research into a rare disease.

Sixteen-year-old Josh Cunnington, who works on the vegetables section at Sainsbury’s, in Northallerton, is organising the event at the town’s Hambleton Forum, following the death of his grandfather from Huntington’s disease.

His mother and aunt have also been diagnosed with the degenerative genetic disorder that commonly becomes noticeable in middle age and progresses from a lack of muscle co-ordination to cognitive decline and dementia.

Josh, who initially aimed to hire the district’s largest venue out of his wages to ensure all funds raised on the night go the Huntington’s Disease Association, has since received support from a host of firms, including Sainsbury’s, Barkers department store, Northallerton-based disco firm Midnight Entertainment.

The line-up for the show includes winners of this year’s Culture Shock Festival, dance troupe Dizfunktional, comedians, singer Jasmine Cerrato, dancing dogs Max and Alfie, performances by Northallerton Gymnastics Club and local rock bands.

Tickets to the event, which starts at 6.30pm on Saturday, December 10, cost £5 and can be reserved at highdiversity.co.uk or by calling 0770-367-3268.