Leading the fight against muscle disease, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has been searching for a cure for almost 50 years.

More than 60,000 people in the UK have muscle disease and 300,000 people are indirectly affected as relatives and carers.

There are no cures or treatments which prevent the breakdown of muscle, but increased knowledge has improved the quality of people’s lives and, in many cases, length of life.

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the only UK charity that focuses on all muscle diseases and continues to provide practical care and emotional support for people affected by the condition.

Muscle diseases cause muscles to waste and weaken making it hard for those affected to do even the simplest of tasks. The conditions don’t just affect the muscles in the arms and legs but the heart and respiratory muscles too. There are no cures and many affected children don’t live to reach adulthood.

The charity continues to push for increased Government spending on medical research as it funds world-class research to find effective treatments and cures; provides free practical and emotional support; campaigns to raise awareness and bring about change and awards grants towards the cost of specialist equipment.

The charity has joined forces with Tesco superstore, which has named them as its Charity of the Year 2009.

As their chosen charity, Tesco aims to raise £3m as part of the ‘Giving children equipment to be independent campaign’.

The money raised will fund vital, specialist equipment for children under 19 with muscular dystrophy and related muscle-wasting conditions.

Charity president Sue Barker was delighted with the partnership. She said: “Muscular dystrophy is a devastating condition. It affects all the muscles in the body, including the heart and lungs.

“Working with Tesco will allow us to improve the lives of many children across the country by providing them with the equipment they so desperately need.”

The charity continues to find quirky ways to fundraise including the ‘Dare to Dangle abseils’, for which the charity encouraged fundraisers to abseil down the 100ft John Radcliffe Hospital, and this month’s Town and Gown 10km run.

Now in its 28th year, this unique run takes a spectacular route around Oxford’s historic centre. There is a course for young athletes (aged 11-14) run over 3km.

There will be prizes for first, second and third place for men and women.

There are also special commemorative awards for those raising £25, £100 and £200 plus. In addition, there will be spot prizes for the most imaginative fancy dress costumes. Closing date for entries is Monday, May 11. To take part in the race, or to volunteer with the charity, visit the website: www.muscular-dystrophy.org or call 01865 735717.

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