A DORCHESTER mum will wade through mud, ice cold water and even fire to thank the services that helped her son through a cancer battle.

As reported in the Echo, Rian Harvey, now aged 15, was diagnosed with myeloid leukaemia last year.

He received ‘first class’ treatment at both Dorset and Southampton hospitals and is now in recovery.

Now mum Sarah George and five of her friends will take on the Tough Mudder challenge tomorrow to raise vital funds to help other children in similar situations.

The proceeds from sponsorship will go towards children’s treatment at both hospitals as well as the Steve Charles Help a Friend Fund, which raised money for Rian’s family.

Although the challenge is tough, the group of friends have been training hard and feel confident for the course.

Sarah said: “It’s not only a physical challenge but a mental one.

“There are a lot of obstacles you wouldn’t get in a normal assault course. Twenty-two per cent of people don’t complete it. But we aren’t going to be in that twenty-two per cent.

“We started training in January and do three early-morning sessions a week. We’re doing strength training as well and a lot of running. We are ready – it’s mind over matter.

“Yes, it will be tough but when I think of what Rian went through and how positive he was throughout his treatment – if he can go through that, we can do this.”

The event, taking place at Cirencester Park tomorrow, involves a 26-obstacle course including ‘Fire in Your Hole’ and ‘Pyramid Scheme’ designed to push mind, body and team spirit to the limit.

As previously reported, Sarah spoke out to warn other parents to be on the lookout for signs of the illness.

Initially, the family believed Rian had a hamstring injury and was feeling lethargic, which they thought might just be due to him being a teenager.

But an X-ray at Dorchester’s A & E department showed it was acute myeloid leukaemia.

Following months of treatment, Rian is thankfully in remission. He will see his consultant again in October and his future looks bright.

Sarah described him as a ‘fun-loving, talkative, lovely boy.’ Today, she tells the Echo: “You could look at him now and not know that anything had happened. He’s an inspiration for us to get through this challenge.”

So far the team has raised £1,800.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/helpingrian