A musical fundraising evening has raised vital cash and awareness for young people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

The event, which took place in the Pizza Express Music Room, Earl Street, Maidstone, and featured music from a number of local artists, raised £615 for the Association of Young People with ME (AYME).

Ian Ingles, a long term sufferer of the condition who organised the event, was diagnosed in 2000 and fortunately now leads a very normal life with wife Rachel and children Penny, five, and three-year-old Sally.

The 37-year-old, from Willowside, Snodland, said: “The early days were very tough and I was bed bound for the first six months of my illness. Sadly I didn’t have the help of an organisation such as AYME and I battled my illness privately but I was very determined to get better and after years of rehabilitation and medication I was able to recover.

“Now I have my own children it made me want to raise money for a charity that could help other young people that are in the same situation I was 14 years ago.

"The illness is almost like a taboo and more needs to be done to raise awareness."

Maidstone singer-songwriter Fred Clark kicked off the evening’s entertainment, with his original material and cover versions followed by a performance from Rochester’s Clea Lllewellyn.

Mr Ingles’ own group, The iband, then took to the stage with a set of their own material which included songs Condition Man and How Did It Come To This, which are written about the Mr Ingles dealt with his illness.

On the night How Did It Come To This was dedicated to Lynn Gilderdale, from Sussex, who tragically suffered so badly her mother controversially helped her to die in 2008.

Mr Ingles said: “At the time this struck a chord with me as we were the same age. The song was written about her and I felt the evening was a fitting place to remember her struggle.”

He added: “The feedback from the event was fantastic and I think it will now become an annual event.”