A paramedic and a headteacher are among 17 people set to embark on a mammoth challenge to raise money for research into a rare condition.
David Webster and his wife Ruth, of Grange-Over-Sands, are taking part in the 380-mile Duchenne Research Relay to support a friend whose son has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
David is a paramedic who regularly plays gigs across South Lakeland and wrote and recorded a song in May last year for his NHS colleagues, while Ruth is headteacher at St Paul’s Junior School in Barrow.
The event has been organised by Sam and Sue Taylor to raise money for their 12-year-old son, Will. He was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was four.
David and Ruth are taking part in the fundraiser, which starts at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London tomorrow.
The two-day 380-mile challenge will include stops at the Centre for Life in Newcastle, the MDUK Neuromuscular Centre at Oxford University, Bromsgrove, Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool and Preston.
David said: “We know Will and the family as a result of joining in previous challenges.
“We are all prepared to put in a bit of physical effort to support Will and his family raise awareness about muscular dystrophy.”
Sam and Sue have already raised over £150,000 for charity Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) by taking part in challenges.
Sam said: “This is a huge challenge in anyone’s book. We wouldn’t want to be sponsored for doing something easy!
“The research that is happening in the UK right now to find a treatment for Duchenne is at a critical stage, but it relies entirely on donations and fundraising.
“We want to raise awareness of the incredibly important work that is happening within in UK neuromuscular centres.
“The work that they are doing gives us, and other families living with Duchenne, real hope for the future.”
Susanne Driffield, MDUK regional development manager, said: “Sam’s challenges are not for the fainthearted.
“These are gruelling events which require immense planning and training.
“All the money raised will go directly to the MDUK Duchenne Breakthrough Research Fund.
“Please support Will’s team as they take on this incredible challenge, and donate if you can.”
