Music man John scoops charity award

FUNDRAISER of the year . . . John Loydon (JSL) with his Fundraiser of the Year award from NMO Spectrum UK and Granby Arms landlady Deborah Hardie

A talented Royton musician has been named fundraiser of the year after drumming up support for a little-known charity.

John Loydon raised over £1,000 for NMO Spectrum-UK after playing his first gig in more than 12 years.

The retired Royton and Crompton School English teacher suffers from the rare neurological illness NMO - Neuromyelitis Optica, which affects the nervous system and optic nerves. John has mobility problems and limited use of his left side.

Despite his condition he was determined to help the charity and took to the stage again with a one-night performance at the Granby Arms earlier this year.

John, friends and fellow musicians played to a packed audience in March and more than doubled his original fundraising target.

After hearing about his fund-raising trial, NMO Spectrum-UK has awarded him its Fundraiser of the Year award.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of friends, and of people I’ve never met, to help me raise funds,” said John, who was diagnosed five years ago but has suffered symptoms for 15 years.