So.... last year a group of very good friends helped us to start fundraising. It wasn't easy but they along with Oscar’s Dad Ian completed the Big Black Mountain Challenge and raised over £12,000 for Duchenne UK. An incredible sum that we were absolutely astonished by, the generosity of those who sponsored us was amazing. We’re so grateful for such wonderful family and friends who want to help Oscar and Duchenne UK as much as we do.

This year Ben, Mark and Ian supported by Bruce, are planning a London to Paris cycle ride. They’ll be departing 4th September and arriving in Paris on the 7th September - which just happens to be World Duchenne Awareness Day (https://www.worldduchenneday.org). An opportunity not to be missed.

Your support would be most appreciated and will help provide some much needed motivation for them too! It's a bit of ride - 447km (277 miles). They’ll be needing plenty of padding and stacks of energy! Please help us to make a difference and support Duchenne UK in their fight against this devastating disease by sponsoring them.

Thank you for all your help and support, it means the world to us and the Duchenne Community.

Ian, Lucy and Oscar xx

Please read on for an Oscar update and some background on Duchenne UK:

We are not letting the disease take over and rule our world. Oscar is still a happy, bright, sociable, inquisitive and very mobile little boy. He loves exploring and asks plenty of questions about everything!

Progress is being made in the fight against this devastating disease thanks in large part to the work of charities like Duchenne UK which are supported by the kindness and generosity of individuals. This gives us real hope for the future. Progress includes over £27m invested in DMD research, support and care, 34 clinical trial staff funded at sites across the UK, 500 + boys taking part in clinical trials for innovative DMD treatments, 650+ families received the Family Folder guide to help them cope with a DMD diagnosis.

Duchenne UK is a charity with one very clear aim: to end Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a devastating muscle-wasting disease. It is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy. Diagnosed in childhood, it mainly affects boys. Founded by two mums of boys with the disease Duchenne UK is the leading DMD charity in the UK.

They take an innovative and sharply focused approach to fighting DMD from every angle, funding groundbreaking medical research, accelerating access to treatments, improving lives through technology, and ensuring everyone in the DMD community is given the care and support they need.

They work to connect the best researchers with industry, the NHS and families they work tirelessly to advance and accelerate every stage of drug development bringing treatments to patients as quickly and effectively as possible.

They are collaborating on a project to improve DMD care throughout the UK by providing clinical recommendations.

They fund the DMD Hub to bring more UK patients the opportunity to take part in clinical research.