THE family of a boy diagnosed with a rare genetic condition is embarking on a gruelling set of challenges to raise money and awareness for research into the disorder.

Will Taylor from Crooklands, near Milnthorpe, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy- a serious condition which causes the muscles to weaken-just before his fifth birthday.

The same year his mum, Sue, decided to run the Great North Run to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Since then, the family- spearheaded by mum Sue and dad Sam- and a loyal group of supporters and friends have climbed, run and swum in numerous physical fundraising activities and have raised a staggering £100,000 in the process.

This year the eleven-year-old’s parents have set up the Duchenne Research Relay- the family’s most ambitious bike challenge yet.

Over three days in August Mr and Mrs Taylor and a group of friends will pedal 380 miles in August riding between four of the major UK centres researching treatments for Duchenne, from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, to the MDUK Neuromuscular Centre in Oxford, to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, and finishing at the Centre for Life in Newcastle.

“I feel pretty daunted,” said Mr Taylor.

“It’s the toughest bike related thing we’ve done and there is lots to negotiate but I’m excited and it’s good to be fighting against the condition and help try and find treatment for Will and people like him.

“There’s a lot of stuff happening at the moment with gene therapy, they’re getting very very close.”

So far more than £10,000 has been raised with Will’s aunt’s Great North Swim last month giving a huge boost to the total.

Alongside the Research Relay the family has created ‘Grab the Baton’ with Muscular Dystrophy UK, a virtual fundraising challenge inviting the public to sign up and ride 380 miles solo, or as a team, over 66 days between July 4 and World Duchenne Awareness Day on September 7.

To launch the challenge 15 families came together at Salt Ayre Cycle Track in Lancaster on Sunday and attempted to ride 380 miles in three hours.

And the riders were even joined by Will on his exercise bike.

To donate to the Research Relay visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/duchenneresearchrelay

And to sign up to Grab the Baton visit www.musculardystrophyuk.org/events/duchenne-research-relay-380-grab-the-baton/