A TEAM effort has ensured awareness is being raised for a national charity close to members' hearts this summer.

Team Jenson was founded last year by the parents of a five-year-old Buckley boy, Jenson Edwards, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in February 2016.

Parents Hannah Grindley and Craig Edwards, of Buckley, were devastated to discover their beautiful boy, then aged three, was living with a rare muscle-wasting condition which affected his ability to walk and move and which later meant he would be wheelchair bound.

Alongside family and friends, the pair feared for the quality of life of much-loved Jenson, with dad Craig worrying about Jenson's potentially short lifespan due to his condition.

They said: "Jenson is a lovely bright and happy boy who loves swimming and painting but we know how serious his condition is and how it is going to affect him more and more as he gets older."

Craig vowed this year Team Jenson would give 100 per cent to raise funds for both Jenson's personal fund, and for MD UK, the charity which has been helping the family with Jenson's condition,

A dedicated team of walkers set off on a 28 mile voyage across Yorkshire's Three Peaks at the beginning of July, and dad Craig said he was proud of his "little mountain goats" who tackled the uphill climbs in temperatures above 30C in places.

Craig said: "If you missed it you missed out but we definitely plan on doing that again. There may be one or two who might not want to go back - I totally understand. But nothing even comes close to actually being there. Too many funny things happened to mention."

Most of that team then took on the UK's toughest half marathon, the Snowdon Trail Half Marathon last weekend.

Temperatures soared at the start line in Llanberis, and the team climbed almost 1,000m, reaching worrying cloud and mist before descending down the Llanberis path then climbing Snowdon's dangerous slate mines before heading back down to cheers at the Llanberis finish line.

The team agreed this was the hardest run they had ever completed, but that the effort was worth it to raise awareness and funds for Team Jenson and MD UK.

Craig also thanked Allan Brown and Derek Cairns who conquered their fears and took on the Zip Wire challenge across Snowdonia's slate mines last month. In total the pair raised £1,300 and were proud to support their close family friends.

The team will continue to raise funds throughout the year, and all are welcome to attend the 'thanks ceremony' at Buckley Football Club on Sunday, August 19.

In 'true Jenson style,' a walk will be held from 8.30am from the top car park at Moel Famau, Loggerheads, towards Buckley Football Club for the afternoon party.