A COUPLE who lost their son to a debilitating muscle disease are organising their 35th annual fundraising event to help other sufferers.

Deanna and Pete Liddington, from Coalpit Heath, have raised in the region of £350,000 to £400,000 for muscular dystrophy charities since their son David was diagnosed with the disease at the age of three.

Mrs Liddington, 64, said: "When David was little he kept falling over and it was just instinct really that something was wrong.

"It was little things but collectively we knew something wasn’t quite right.

"He was diagnosed very quickly. There is no history of muscular dystrophy in our families but we made the decision not to have any more children."

David went to a specialist school at the age of eight and was in a wheelchair by the time he was 10. The family received some respite when David was taken on holiday by the Tavistock branch of Muscular Dystrophy UK.

"David would wake up 20 times a night because he couldn’t turn himself over," said Mr Liddington, 62. "If we got two hours' sleep that was good so families really need a break."

David lived until he was 22, losing his battle with the Duchenne strain of the disease in 1995. His parents have remained strong supporters of muscular dystrophy charities ever since.

"We have done all sorts," said Mr Liddington, a retired firefighter with Avon Fire and Rescue Service. "We built a 14-seater tricycle and dressed it up as a Viking ship for a street collection. We organised 14 pedal car grand prix, I have completed two John O’ Groats to Land’s End walks, we did an exercise bike race to Australia and we have done parachute jumps."

The couple, who both volunteer at disabled adults’ charity Paul’s Place, now organise annual sponsored walks with friends Anne and Dug (CORR) Churchill from Yate.

They give £1,000 a year for research into muscular dystrophy and the rest of the money goes to the Tavistock support group to send more young sufferers away on holiday.

Their next walk takes place on Saturday, July 16 leaving Shire Way Community Centre in Yate for a 12-mile circular route.

"We have always felt we wanted to do something," said Mr Liddington, who also volunteers as a driver for Yate and District Community Transport. "It certainly helped me when we lost David.

"To mark our 35th year we are hoping for a bumper year and would like to encourage as people as possible to take part."

For more information and a registration form call Pete Liddington on 01454 774625 or 07972 482966.