A BARRY family will take part in their first ever run following their young son’s duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) diagnosis.

Rhodri Brown was diagnosed with DMD just before his fourth birthday earlier this year.

His father James, and grandparents, have responded by launching a fundraising page for Muscular Dystrophy UK and by registering to join more than 5,000 people for the 38th annual 10k run in Oxford's streets and parks on Sunday, May 12.

And not to be outdone, four-year-old Rhodri will be alongside sports presenter Gabby Logan firing the starting gun to start this year’s Newton Oxford Town and Gown 10k race.

Mr Brown, 38, a team leader in supported housing, said: “Despite me and my wife, Delor, being in a dark place for several months after the diagnosis, we have made a conscious decision to be positive.

“To that end we feel that with over 50 clinical trials going on worldwide for DMD, we have a reason to be hopeful for the future.

“My parents will be running with me and we have ramped up the training in recent weeks as this will be our first 10k, and actually our first charity run.

“Rhodri is super excited about starting the race and will have his amazing, loving and supportive sister, Cerys Morgana, seven, by his side throughout the day cheering on dad, nanny and grandad.”

Grandmother Beverley Griffiths, a civil servant who lives in North London, said: “I really hate running and have never done anything like this before, but my son and his wife have had a terrible shock and as a family we will do everything we can to support them.”

She added that her husband Dean, who runs an advertising agency, is in slightly better shape for the run having regularly used the local gym’s treadmill.

To support, log onto justgiving.com/fundraising/james-brown184

For information, visit musculardystrophyuk.org