William’s epic walk to save his brother

An inspiring eight-year-old is joining the fight to help find a cure for his younger brother Joshua, who suffers a fatal genetic condition that is slowly destroying his muscles.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy causes progressive muscle degeneration starting from the hips and upper thighs, eventually affecting the heart and breathing muscles.

Typically, boys with DMD will be restricted to a wheelchair by the time they are 10, and they do not usually live past their 20s.

Joshua, 6, was diagnosed with DMD in 2017. However, his family are hanging onto hope researchers will one day find a cure.

“There was no history of genetic diseases in our families and up until then, we thought we had a perfectly healthy boy,” Mrs Jones said.

“There has never been a survivor of DMD.

“But we are buoyed by the massive research breakthroughs that have occurred in the past few years, and are excited about the possibilities that may lay ahead ... the ability to slow down or even stop this debilitating illness.” Joshua and his mother will travel to Sydney next month to participate in the Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation’s 172km charity walk.

The six-day walk will begin on Monday, visiting various businesses and several schools across Sydney to help raise funds and awareness about DMD.

Although older brother William will not be able to attend the walk in Sydney, he has decided to take on the challenge at home in Baldivis instead. Walking between 4km and 6km each day, William is also raising money for Save Our Sons, and hopes to complete the full 172km in support of his brother and his mum.

“I wanted to do it to raise money for my brother and the other boys that have it,” he said.

So far, William has walked more than 130km and he has raised $1400 for Save Our Sons.