Two sisters are raising awareness of serious conditions which killed their younger brothers at a charity fundraiser.

Eastern Daily Press: Bernard Basey-Fisher, who died aged 65 in 2017, from leukaemia. Picture: SENT IN BY MALCOLM NURSEYBernard Basey-Fisher, who died aged 65 in 2017, from leukaemia. Picture: SENT IN BY MALCOLM NURSEY (Image: SENT IN BY MALCOLM NURSEY)

Jill Nursey and Val Baker are raising money for the UK charities Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and Bloodwise, formerly Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, at a coffee, cake and raffle event.

The fundraiser is happening in the Court House, Great Yarmouth Road, Blofield, on Friday December 1 from 10am-12.30pm.

Their youngest sibling, Ian Basey-Fisher, 56, from Strumpshaw, died in August 2013, following an eight-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND).

His brother, Bernard Basey-Fisher, who moved to Australia aged 19, died earlier this year aged 65 four days after his leukaemia diagnosis.

Eastern Daily Press: An old family picture showing (from left) Jill Nursey, Ian Basey-Fisher, Val Baker and Bernard Basey-Fisher. Picture: SENT IN BY JILL NURSEYAn old family picture showing (from left) Jill Nursey, Ian Basey-Fisher, Val Baker and Bernard Basey-Fisher. Picture: SENT IN BY JILL NURSEY (Image: SENT IN BY JILL NURSEY)

Mrs Nursey, 72, from Doctors Road in Blofield, said: 'Having seen what the diseases can do, it makes you passionate about funding.'

Mrs Baker, 69, from Hemblington Hall Road in Hemblington, said: 'We are doing this for Ian and Bernard and raising awareness.'

MND is a rapidly-progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.

It attacks the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work.

Eastern Daily Press: Sisters Jill Nursey (left) and Val Baker, who are organising a fundraiser in memory of their two brothers who died from leukaemia and moto neurone disease. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIESisters Jill Nursey (left) and Val Baker, who are organising a fundraiser in memory of their two brothers who died from leukaemia and moto neurone disease. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIE (Image: SOPHIE WYLLIE)

'Ian was so poorly for eight years,' Mrs Nursey added. 'I know the devastating impact that MND has.'

The former Norfolk amateur tennis player was a painter and decorator. He left behind a widow and two children.

He had to give up work because of his illness and had 24-hour home care because of mobility issues.

His brother, who was married with two children and five grandchildren, was also a keen footballer and tennis player.

Mrs Nursey said her brother followed a healthy lifestyle before his leukaemia diagnosis, two weeks after his 65th birthday.

'Bernard's death was a shock,'she added.

Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer which attacks the immune system.

Speaking about her brothers, Mrs Nursey said: 'They liked a joke. They loved their children and were good family men.'

For more information, call Mrs Nursey on 07977227725 or Mrs Baker on 07808000801. Visit www.mndassociation.org and www.bloodwise.org.uk