AN eight-year-old boy suffering from a rare muscle wasting disease has inspired a Worcester woman to run her first ever marathon.

Kate Tonge, aged 37, of Barbourne, took up running about three years ago but never dreamed she would be taking part in the Flora London Marathon in April.

But when her friend's son, Murray Field, of Kepax Gardens, also in Barbourne, was diagnosed with Duch-enne muscular dystrophy last year, she was overwhelmed with his courage and given the incentive to take part.

Mrs Tongue, who works for West Mercia Constab-ulary, said she saw the huge impact it had on Murray, his family and his friends.

She said: "He has been a real inspiration. He is very philosophical about it and constantly cheerful."

Mrs Tonge will be a member of the 130-strong Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Marathon team and as part of her training she runs five times a week.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic condition that only affects boys and by the age of 12 sufferers are often wheelchair bound.

A horse-racing night to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and Northwick Manor Infants School is being held at Worcester City Football Club tomorrow.