EVERY step children's physiotherapist Kezia Pugh takes on a gruelling 50-mile ultramarathon this weekend will be a harsh reminder of the young patients in Herefordshire living with a devastating muscle wasting condition.

Part of 43-year-old Kezia Pugh's role with Wye Valley NHS Trust is working with children who have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a life-limiting congenital condition affecting boys.

Knowing how tough their physical challenges can be, Kezia decided in a "moment of craziness" to put herself through this demanding feat.

Admitting that she is not a typical marathon runner, when the mother-of-three embarks on the Run, Walk, Crawl Gower Ultra 50 challenge around the Gower Peninsula this Saturday, she will have high hopes of raising money for Action Duchenne, the charity aimed at funding research into DMD.

"Even if it's raining and dark, I will be thinking of those boys, they will be my absolute inspiration," says Kezia, whose husband, Colin will be cheering her on.

"A number of boys I work with have this awful condition which is devastating for them and their families. I see them on that journey, coming to terms with their diagnosis."

Kezia, who has worked for Wye Valley NHS for 13 years - 11 years as a children's physiotherapist in the community - explains that the boys affected are not diagnosed with DMD until they are around four years old. Often by the time they reach nine they are wheelchair-bound.

Advances in treatment have already brought hope to families.

Kezia said: "When I first started this job the boys were only living to their teens, now they are living until their mid to late-twenties, so research really does make a difference. This is such a worthwhile cause."

She added:"Working with boys with DMD and expecting them to challenge themselves physically has inspired me to do something physically challenging myself - and a little bit crazy!

"I am not your typical ultramarathon runner, but I have been training hard since the New Year."

Those wanting to support Kezia can go to her JustGiving page www.JustGiving.com/fundraising/Kezia-Pugh