PEOPLE are rallying round an East Lancashire detective whose family are raising money to adapt the family home in Blackburn as his motor neurone disease symptoms worsen.

Louise Briggs, a friend and colleague of Det Sgt Mark Cruise, is hosting a coffee morning at the Old Mother Redcap in Knuzden with a raffle, tombola and bingo to raise money.

Meanwhile, James Hallam, 11, from Preston, managed to raise £100 for a sponsored swim after he overheard his parents talking about Mr Cruise.

“Mark and his wife Laura are good friends of ours, and James spends time with their two youngest children Max and Jacob,” James’ parents said.

They added: “We’re delighted that he managed to raise a whopping £100. It gives us a great feeling that our 11-year-old son is so caring, we’re so proud of him.”

Mr Cruise, 52, received the devastating news that he had motor neurone disease last March after noticing minor symptoms.

His family described the diagnosis as having “torn their world apart”.

Also raising money is fellow detective Chris Williams, 53, who has been running every day since November and will continue until he hits 300 consecutive days – coinciding with his retirement – in a personal ambition-turned-charity goal.

“Many friends are doing all sorts of things to raise money for Mark and in my own small way I want to do the same,” said Dave Thomas, who has so far raised almost £800 for a 30-mile speed march carrying a 32lb backpack across the Cheviot Hills in Northumberland.

“I have entered an event that will probably be the hardest challenge of my life, but insignificant to the ones Mark and his family face and endure every single day.”

As his condition worsens, the family say they need £35,000 to alter his home to help Mr Cruise.

Mr Cruise achieved the rank of detective sergeant through his work with Blackpool CID.

The family have set up a Facebook page ‘Cruisey’s Journey’ to follow his day-to-day life with motor neurone disease.