DOZENS of people have come forward to help an acclaimed north Pembrokeshire musician complete the renovation of his derelict house, following his recent diagnosis with Parkinson's disease.

Henry Sears, along with his partner Rowan, bought the 200-year-old dilapidated stone cottage in Felindre Farchog two years ago. Because of the state of the property they had to take out a high interest self-build mortgage.

The couple planned to have the house renovated within two years to a standard where they could secure a high street mortgage with a standard interest rate.

A few months into the build Henry, a proficient carpenter and self-builder, knew there was something wrong.

"I was really stiff and slow and not able to work as efficiently or effectively as usual," he said.

The accomplished fiddle player and choir leader was subsequently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The degenerative nature of the disease has considerably slowed the pace he can work on the house. He is struggling to complete the project and the deadline for the mortgage conditions is looming.

If he hasn't completed the work specified by the mortage company by the end of next year he will incur crippling charges and may even face repossession.

"It is going to take me a year longer than I expected, maybe more," said Henry. "Because of the unpredictable nature of the way Parkinson's progresses it may take even longer."

Hearing of Henry's predicament, Angela Lockwood, who sings with him in St Dogmaels community choir, set up a JustGiving page to help fund the work.

The house still needs completely rewiring, heating installed, windows and doors making and installing, a kitchen and bathroom installing and the extension reroofing.

It is estimated that this will take around 100 days of work and cost in excess of £10,000.

The Justgiving campaign has already generated £2,900 as well as several offers of practical help.

"The donations came in extremely fast in the first weekend," said Henry. "Including an anonymous donation of £1,000.

"We have also had several really good offers of physical help. People with really good skills are going to help which is worth an awful lot. It's all going to help, it's all going to be positive."

To help Henry complete his house go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/angela-lockwood. Offers of physical help can also be made via the messages of support on the Justgiving page.