THERE is a very touching reason why a Christmas tree in the front garden of a home in Droitwich is causing a stir around the world.

John Adams, who has motor neurone disease, has placed the Christmas tree in the front garden and offered to put people's messages on baubles in return for a donation to MNDA.

Thinking it would only be friends, family and neighbours, the family were shocked to receive hundreds of messages from as far away as New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

Mr Adams' daughter Helen Millward said she stopped counting how many baubles they have hung on the tree after 200 raising over £7,000.

"My dad absolutely loves it - he has a bell he uses when he needs something and he started to ring it whenever he received a donation.

"He has been receiving so many and was ringing his bell so much his carers jokingly said they were going to hide it.

"We've had some beautiful messages coming in

"I've had a few tears reading messages from people who have lost someone  - it's been a very emotional exercise."

Mr Adams began by making Christmas tags to raise money for research after United To End MND request for a £50 million investment was left out of the government’s budget review.

Webbs of Wychbold then gave the 77-year-old a Christmas tree for all his hard work which is when they hit on another fundraising idea.

Baubles with messages to family members and lost loved ones are being hung on the tree dubbed the tree of love and hope.

Mrs Millward said: "A lot of it has come through Facebook and a lot has come through MNDA sharing his story.

"He's become the face of motor neurone disease as they keep putting on messages of encouragement on there.

"All the money he raises is for research because he realises they will never find a cure in his lifetime but if he can do anything to stop it in the future, that's his goal.

"I know he is my dad but he is so inspirational."

To donate, visit: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/John-adams44.