Do you remember when your child took their first step? It's a beautiful moment, often noted in memory books and saved in phone albums to revisit in years to come.

Do you remember the first time they pulled themselves up on the sofa and off they went? Or the first time they voluntarily came up and hugged you? Or the first time they ran around the play park without you having to lift them onto things?

I remember all those times too! But as Luke gets older, we're going through a phase of lasts!

We've had the last time he got himself up from the floor! We've had the last time he could use play equipment in the park unaided! We've had his last trip to Airtastic because he can't jump. We've had his last hop, his last last run and I reckon that within a year, we'll likely see his last footsteps.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a cruel condition that robs the people who live with it of the ability to do all the things they once could do. In a future that seems not too far off, Luke won't be able to turn in bed, or hold a pencil or lift his arms to do the thing, that even at 11 years old he still loves to do, hug his mummy.

I've decided to do the 8 mile walk at Belfast City Marathon to use my footsteps to help Muscular Dystrophy UK continue to support research into treatments for Duchenne and to support people living with muscle wasting conditions through advocacy, helpline support and advice & information.

I'm so grateful for all donations, big or small, and you know... some company on the route may be nice if you's also like to support Muscular Dystrophy UK with a Belfast Marathon team!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.