A WOMAN is using a landmark birthday to help fight the muscle wasting condition that affects her grandson.

Eleanor Ingman-Stone, of Wilfred Owen Road in Oswestry will hold a fundraising event at Park Hall on August 17 - her 80th birthday - for the Action Duchenne charity.

Her grandson Thomas Ingman-Outomuro, 16, has Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy which affects all the muscles in his body, over 10 years ago and had to use an electric wheelchair and has not been able to stand since he was 12.

She said: "As I don't want or need any presents or fuss, I thought it would be appropriate and nice to hold a charity evening."

Thomas lives in Madrid, Spain with his father Jose Outomuro, mother Liz Ingman-Outomuro, 13 year old brother Dylan and sister Katie, 12.

Duchenne is genetic condition for which there is no known cure, and without expert medical care those who have it will die by their late teens of early twenties.

Action Duchenne says that there are 2,500 people with Duchenne in the UK, all of whom have a short life expectancy.

Thomas was diagnosed with the condition

Mrs Inman-Stone said: "Life expectancy is only late teens to early twenties so we must find a cure for this soon. Time is not on our side."

Mrs Ingman-Stone has raised more than £10,000 in the last decade for Action Duchenne and the Severn Hospice with various activities.

"This time I'm doing it for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy as very little is known about this severe, debilitating muscle-wasting disease, which is caused by a faulty gene and mainly affects little boys," she said.

She added that she had not been able to hold any events in the last two years due to a knee replacement, illness and a family bereavement, but added: "Now I must move forward and try and get the message out about Duchenne and how it affects these children.

"I have just been speaking to Thomas' mother, as I have not been able to go to Spain to see him for the last two years, and she says his limbs are getting much weaker. He is now hardly able to life a mug to get a drink."

The event will feature live music, a buffet, welcome drink and a raffle. Tickets are £15 from Mrs Ingman-Stone on 01691 656 193 or the venue.

She added: "Please help me in this cause close to my heart."