A man from Aylesbury has revealed how ‘he lost the ability to walk’ during lockdown, due to a rare muscle illness he was diagnosed with.

Martin Hywood, 47, suffers from limb girdle muscular dystrophy which is a condition that causes muscles to waste away, as well as causing potentially life-threatening complications to the heart and repository system.

He was put into the vulnerable category following the start of lockdown at the beginning of the year, but due to a lack of exercise and movement in his legs, he lost the ability to walk.

It is now reported that the 47-year-old is afraid to leave his home.

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Despite this, he hopes to raise money for those who are in a similar position through the Big Give’s Christmas Challenge.

The Christmas Challenge is the Big Give’s annual flagship campaign and is the UK’s biggest online match funding campaign.

And from December 1 to December 8, the Big Give will match donations made to participating charities as part of its 13th Christmas Challenge.

Martin’s chosen charity is the Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Catherine Woodhead CEO of Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “The £2.8million that we have lost this year is half of the money we expected to spend on research and services this year.

“We’ve had to go through a restructure and lose staff.

“We’ve had to focus on what our community really needs because we’re the biggest charity in the UK supporting people with these progressive muscle-wasting conditions.”

Martin then said: "I've lost the ability to raise funds, I’ve lost the ability to help others, and I’ve lost the ability to support MDUK and their many events at a time when they need us the most”.

Alex Day, Director of the Big Give, added: “Christmas has always been a time for giving, but this year it is more important than ever.

“The work that charities do has, in many ways, never been more needed.

"Yet up and down the country, thousands of charities are running on fumes.

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“Those who rely on their support risk being cut adrift."

For further information on the Big Give Christmas Challenge, or to donate, visit www.theBigGive.org.uk.