Gary and Louisa Hill, of Chalfont St Peter, hosted a fundraising golf day and dinner at the prestigious Moor Park Golf Club in Rickmansworth in order to raise awareness and money for research into a finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare and life-limiting muscle-wasting condition that affects their son Archie (9).

All proceeds went to The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

It was held last Friday September 12, and included a golf competition, an auction and a raffle with prizes including: a box for 16 at Royal Ascot; signed England and Premier League football shirts; a 5 star holiday, Rory McIIroy and Justin Rose golf shoes; Orient Express tickets; luxury golf days; huge beauty product hampers.

In total there were around 40 great prizes.

A lovely surprise was that a close friend of England International Darren Bent attended and immediately offered to auction a day of him coaching children football.

Tables in the dining room at Moor Park Golf Club were decorated in orange and blue (The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s colours) with information about the charity, including the family’s story.

The food was excellent and the staff outstanding.

The dinner started with a fabulous smooth jazz singer.

This was followed by Paul Tomlinson representing the charity, who spoke about Archie, the family, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and the forthcoming Translarna drug trial that Archie has been accepted for.

This was followed by a really funny comedian who also took the auction.

One cute moment was to see a young boy (with his father’s approval) bidding for an item against a determined adult also wanting the prize – no need to be a genius as to who won.

Gary, Louisa, Archie and their eldest son Leyton (11) did the raffle.

The proceeds of the day will go to the Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund, set up by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to develop treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The charity funds ground-breaking research into muscular dystrophy and related conditions and supports the 70,000 families in the UK affected by them.

The four person winning golf team took home the beautiful Archie’s Foundation golf trophy and each of them also received top quality golf bags.

Louisa said: “A lot of work went into planning the day and we were thrilled that the day itself went so well and that through our family, friends and others we were able to raise well over £12,000 for the charity.

"Gary and I were very tired by the end of it all but thinking of Archie made it all worthwhile, knowing that we were raising vital funds to develop treatments that could help our son and other children like him.”

Paul Tomlinson, Volunteer Fundraising Manager for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: “It was an honour to have attended this superb event and also to talk about the family and Archie’s condition and to mention the good news that Archie has been one of 220 boys worldwide to have been accepted onto the new Translarna drug trial that may even in a limited way further the search in finding a cure for the condition.

"The family’s determination to fund research into treatments for Duchenne, to help both Archie and the thousands of other children and young people who are affected, is really inspiring’’.

For more information about the work of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and how you can help or to make a donation towards the Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund, please contact Paul Tomlinson, Volunteer Fundraising Manager on 020 8688 9373, or email p.tomlinson@muscular-dystrophy.org or visit www.muscular-dystrophy.org

Based on information supplied by Paul Tomlinson.