A son is proud of himself for raising a significant amount of money for a charity that raises awareness of his mam's health condition.

Gary Middleton, originally from Haltwhistle but lives in Hexham, has raised over £3000 for Multiple Systems Atrophy Trust (MSAT) by completing Rat Race Dirty Weekend, a 20-mile, 200 obstacles mud run in Burghley House, Rutland.

The event was on Saturday, May 7 and he completed it with his old school friend Hannah who he reconnected recently due to their shared military history.

Gary was encouraged to do the mud run for MSAT and raise awareness of Multiple Systems Atrophy as his mother was diagnosed with it last year.

"MSA is a little understood, horrible disease which has similarities to Parkinson's. The disease is sadly degenerative and terminal," Gary said.

"My mam has always looked out for friends and family no matter what she had on her plate.

"She has always worked so hard and it's incredibly unfair that she isn't able to enjoy retirement now. I wanted to do this for her.

"The day was amazing, although it was painful and despite my trepidation going into it, I wish I could do it again!

"My legs don't agree with me, though but honestly one of the best things I've ever done, especially given the added significance because of mam.

"It was all on a scale far beyond anything I'd done before, some of it actually terrifying! Plus I got to catch up with a few old friends."