A MILESTONE £500,000 has been raised by a Keswick couple for a cause close to their hearts – and readers of Newsquest Cumbria’s titles have been full of praise.

Yvonne and Duncan Booth have raised half a million pounds for the MS Society since Duncan was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Pride of Britain finalist Yvonne and her husband have responded by setting a new target of £1 million.

Their success is all thanks to their popular 10in10 challenge, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Each June, the challenge sees people from around the world come together to scale 10 peaks in 10 hours, in the scenic Lake District fells.

Reader Mark Teasdale said: “Well done both, a marvellous effort, take care."

Alison Robinson said: “Well done. Hopefully a bit more awareness is raised as it’s not at the moment – a lot of people don’t understand about it, it’s a horrible illness at the best of times.”

Vera Hinde Daniels said: “Brilliant, well done.”

Seventeen News & Star readers and 14 Times & Star readers liked the post or sent hearts to the Booths.

Reader Jon Small said: “Brilliant. Not enough is mentioned about MS.”

Yvonne said: “When Duncan was diagnosed with MS our lives changed forever. I was determined to do something positive to drive forward research, and so the idea of an annual fundraising challenge was born.

“At the start of lockdown we didn’t know if charities would survive. It’s been a hard time but we’ve dedicated our lives to stopping MS, and coronavirus won’t get in our way.

"Communities have really come together, and it’s amazing how much momentum we’ve managed to keep over the past year.

“Duncan’s bike recycling initiative started small but has now become a whole community initiative. He is incredible and he just keeps going!”