A STUDENT is set to take on a mammoth running challenge to raise awareness of Muscular Dystrophy - a condition affecting her mum.

Alex Hughes (20), of Mickley, will run a 10K, half marathon or marathon every month during the next year.

The Prudhoe Plodders runner was inspired to take to the track after her mum Bex, who is now reliant on crutches and a wheelchair, was diagnosed with limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophy in January 2021 after years of back problems.

Alex was first offered a place to run the London Marathon for Muscular Dystrophy UK which got her thinking what more she could do to raise vital funds for the charity.

"I thought 'I can challenge myself a bit more because seeing the challenges my mum goes through on a daily basis'.

"We always laugh because a few years ago, I was a bit of a coach potato. Now, I'm running a marathon and 12 half marathons! Sometimes, I sit there in disbelief wondering what I've signed up to but my mum will be proud of me whatever I manage to do."

Muscular Dystrophy UK supports people affected by the muscle wasting disease and their families.

"They've been there in a support way, but they're there as well in that their knowledgeable and able to come to you with a clear mind about what to do next", said Alex of the charity. "They're not emotionally attached to you.

"If we didn't have that, you'd always look at it as the worst case scenario, but you remember that everyone's in the same boat and there's always someone whose got it that little bit worse than you. If you say positive, you can keep going.

"Life does chuck challenges at you but a lot of the things I've learnt through running, I'll be able to use in everyday life as well."

Alex, who is in her final year of primary teaching at Leeds Beckett University, hopes her challenge will raise more awareness of Muscular Dystrophy, which has affected her mum's core, arms and legs, and to dispel myths that is the same as Motor Neurone Disease.

Running schedule:

January- Brass Monkey half marathon

February- Duergar Nightcrawler

March- Saturn half marathon

April- Yellow Brick road half marathon

May- Leeds Half marathon

June- tbc

July- Durham city run

August- Try on the Tyne

September- Great North Run

October- London Marathon

November- Remembrance Day half marathon

December- Hamsterley Xmas half