A mum from Chalfont St Peter has inspired former rugby player Charlie Hodgson to run in this month's London Marathon.

Charlie was moved by an emotional speech given by Louisa Hill about her son Archie, 17, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, at MDUK's Celebrity Sports Quiz event last year.

The former England player will be running on Sunday, April 23, to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK, a charity that funds research into treatments for rare muscle-wasting conditions. 

He said: "I was so moved to hear about everything Louisa and her family have done, from fundraising to campaining for access to treatments like Translarna, which is now available on the NHS."

Archie was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, which affects around 2,500 people in the UK, when he was three-years-old and his family has so far raised over £270k through their MDUK 'Action for Archie' family fund. 

Charlie said the lasting effects of his rugby career meant he had been unable to run consistently since retiring in 2016.

"This marathon is going to take me completely out of my comfort zone and it will take a huge effort just to get to the starting line on the day.

"But feeling a bit of pain during training pales in comparison to the difficultues faced by those who are living with muscular dystrophy. It's heartbreaking to know there isn't a cure yet, but the money that I raise will hopefully be a small contribution towards finding new groundbreaking treatments."

He was due to run in the delayed London Marathon back in October 2022 but had to defer his place due to an injury. 

He said: "I'm mostly looking forward to hopefully crossing the finish line, hearing the crowds on the day and just taking the whole experience in. My wife, Daisy, and children, Henry, Anastasia, Jack, Freddie and Sam will also be there to cheer me on so it will be great to see them along the course.”

Archie's mother Louisa completed the Marathon herself back in 2019 and said she fully supports Charlie's decision to sign up after hearing her son's story. 

Another resident of Chalfont St Peter, Harriet Bryant, is also set to take part in the race later this month in honour of Archie.

Challenge Events Manager for Muscular Dystrophy UK, Kiera Santry, said: "Running the London Marathon is a monumental life achievement and a truly courageous thing to do.

"We wish Charlie, Harriet and all our other London Marathon runners the very best with this challenge - we'll be supporting them every step of the way."

Readers can visit musculardystrophyuk.org to learn more.