A DETERMINED mum from Chalfont St Peter walked more than 100km to fund research into a rare disease that could help her nine-year-old son.

Louisa Hill admitted she felt like giving up during a walk lasting for more than 24 hours that raised over £5,000 for charity - but kept going after being inspired by son Archie.

The Chalfont St Peter CofE Academy pupil has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a life-limiting condition which causes muscles to weaken and waste over time, leading to increasingly severe disability.

Mum Louisa put on her walking boots along with brother Danny Young and friend Trisha Duffy for the London 2 Brighton challenge, travelling non-stop to the south coast after setting out on foot from Richmond Park.

Together they raised more than £5,000 for the Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund, set up by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to develop treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The charity funds groundbreaking research into muscular dystrophy and related conditions and supports the 70,000 families in the UK affected by them.

Mrs Hill, 39, said: "It was tough. We walked continually for 27 hours through torrential rain, wind and mud, in dark and damp conditions. Travelling through woods and across uneven terrain by torchlight was very challenging and tiring.

"We suffered from blisters, aches and exhaustion - you would not want to see me trying to get over stiles after the 50k mark! I’ve run marathons before, but at 8kK I almost felt like giving up.

"Still, thinking of Archie drove me on. It was worth every step knowing it was raising vital funds to develop treatments that could help my son and other children like him."

The Nortoft Road resident added: "We are delighted to have raised £5,000 - people have been so generous. My husband Gary and I are now planning a golf day that will take place this September. We really need people’s support, and if there are any local businesses out there who can help us with auction or raffle prizes, please do get in touch."

Paul Tomlinson, Volunteer Fundraising Manager for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: "Louisa and her family’s determination to fund research into treatments for Duchenne, to help both Archie and the thousands of other children and young people who are affected, is inspiring. There are promising potential treatments being developed and with the help of people like Louisa, we can do all we can to take them forward."

To add to the fundraising total go to www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/Louisa-Hill.

For more information about the work of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and how you can help contact Paul Tomlinson on 020 8688 9373 or p.tomlinson@muscular-dystrophy.org, or visit www.muscular-dystrophy.org.