AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy with a rare degenerative muscle wasting disease made a splash with 12 of his friends to raise funds and awareness of the condition.

Adam Sevenoaks, who lives in Sutton Poyntz with his mum Mary and dad Malcolm, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 2010 at just four years old.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a severe degenerative muscle wasting disease, which will lead to paralysis and will significantly shorten Adam's life.

Adam recently heard about Muscular Dystrophy UK's 'Move a Mile for Muscles' campaign and told his parents he wanted to help by doing something he enjoys - swimming.

His friends from school - the St Andrews Primary School in Weymouth - also decided to lend a helping hand and 11 of them swam one mile of Weymouth Swimming Pool as a relay on Sunday, completing approximately six lengths per person.

Another of Adam's friends also finished a separate mile swim to raise further funds.

Adam's mum Mary said: “The swim went fantastically well; Adam and his friends cheered each other on and showed great team spirit.

“People's fundraising generosity has been fantastic; a huge thank you must go to the swimming pool, all those who donated and came to watch the swim and most of all Adam's friends who supported him.

“Adam has raised approximately £2,200 which is an amazing amount of money. He's already asking what he can do next to raise money.”

Adam and his parents originally had a fundraising target of £1,000 and Mary said every penny raised will go towards funding Muscular Dystrophy UK's Duchenne research breakthrough fund.

She said the fund is making a vital impact for families like hers and others across the UK.

Mary told the Echo: “At present there is no cure for Adam's condition but treatment and support can help improve both the quality and length of Adam's life.

“Adam is known to us all as one very special little boy who is very determined and will give everything a go, no matter how difficult it is for him.

“We're so proud to be Adam's parents and admire him for his courage and determination.”

Muscle-wasting conditions are very rare, affecting just over one in every 1,000 people.

Laura Crouch, Muscular Dystrophy UK's regional development manager for the South West, said: “We loved Adam's brilliant idea for organising a swimming relay and that so many of his friends took part.

“We would like to say a big thank you to him and to everyone involved on Sunday, for helping us to fund our vital support and treatment research.”

Anyone still wishing to donate to Adam's fundraising swim should visit justgiving.com/AdamAndFriends-MoveAMileForMuscles/

To find out more about Muscular Dystrophy visit musculardystrophyuk.org