A WEYMOUTH lad will take on a charity challenge to help raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of his father.

Eleven-year-old Samuel Bates, son of talented Weymouth drummer Spencer Bates, will be doing a sponsored walk with his friends and family on Sunday, July 27.

The group will leave Weymouth Pavilion at 10am and walk to the Oasis Cafe in Preston and back.

You can donate online by clicking here.

Former Balance of Power drummer, Spencer Bates, battled the condition and passed away in August, 2011, aged 49.

Through the five previous Spenstock events and other charity fundraisers, his family have raised more than £40,000 for the MNDA.

Family and friends will join Samuel for the walk. The Dorset Cake Company will be donating cakes for the group to enjoy when they get to the half-way point at Preston.

Samuel said: “Looking back when my dad died I realised there’s a lot more unfortunate people with the same disease as him.

“I came up with the idea of the big walk to raise money to help the other unfortunate people like my dad.”

He added that the money would go to help fight the ‘dreadful disease,’ and would provide equipment to help people with MND.

The route is five miles from Weymouth Pavilion to the Oasis Cafe in Preston and back.

Samuel said: “I just think as well as raising money for MNDA, we will have a good old time while walking and enjoy ourselves.”

The team are hoping to raise more than £1,000 in total. Friends and family are busily getting sponsorship forms signed, but people can also donate on the day as the group will have official collection buckets with them.

People can also donate online through a Just Giving site which has been set up by one of the team.

Samuel said: “The more people we get to sponsor us the greater the end total will be.”

He added that any money raised would really help people affected by MND. He said to anyone donating: ‘Thank you- it’s a very big help.’ Samuel’s mum Nicky and grandma Mary Bates said they were ‘extremely proud’ of him. The family urged everyone to come along and get involved in a special race night for Spenstock 6 on Friday, August 1 at the Weymouth Pavilion Ocean Room from 6.45pm. There will be all the fun of the races, plus a cabaret by Nick Barron.

There will also be an evening of Mediumship with Bernie Scott on Thursday July 31 from 7.30pm.

For tickets or more information about either event call Mary Bates on 07979494649 or Nicky Bates on 07838019356 To donate via Just Giving please click here or visit the Facebook page by searching for Sponsored walk- MNDA.