HEARTBROKEN Dave Rawsthorne has pledged to carry on his wife Lorraine's last wish.

Lorraine died of a brain haemorrhage last month aged just 29. The devastated couple had learned only months before that their four year old son, Daniel, was suffering from Muscular Dystrophy.

"Daniel was diagnosed with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, which is the worst kind it is possible to get," said David, of Forster Street, Warrington.

"He is still healthy at the moment. They reckon it will be two to three years before he starts feeling it."

MD is a muscle wasting disease. Doctors believe Daniel will be in a wheelchair within four years and will only live into his 20s before the disease reaches his heart.

Before Lorraine died, she said she would like to help raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Group, which helps sufferers cope with their disease.

Now David has decided to carry on her wish. He is organising a 12 hour darts marathon at his local pub, and his workmates at Hazelwood Foods raised £1,450 during a charity night.

"It is something that Lorraine wanted to do," said David. "I have just carried it on. But I don't want it to stop after the darts marathon - I'm going to continue.

"Coping over the past few months has been difficult, but I've had a lot of support from family and friends - they have been brilliant."

Plucky young Daniel is looking forward to starting school at Beamont County Infants in September, and will be moving to Hebden Green special school in Winsford in a year.

The darts marathon takes place at the Hop Pole on Horsemarket Street, Warrington, on Saturday, September 12, starting at 12 noon and finishing at midnight. Members of the pub's darts team, along with teams from all over Warrington who have heard about Daniel's plight, will be taking part.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the event can contact the pub on 639650, or turn up on the day.

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