A tough outdoor challenge will be coming to the Lake District this weekend on July 2. 

Pedal Paddle Peak will be taking place in Penrith on Saturday with 130 participants from across the UK, with the aim of raising as much as possible for Muscular Dystrophy UK. 

For Brian Hopkins, 72, from Solihull, like many of the 130 participants, the cause is very close to his heart as his nephew, Mark Hopkins, passed away at just 17 from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Brian, who retired as Managing Director of Birmingham-based engineering company E C Hopkins Ltd last year, has devoted himself to improving the lives of people with muscle-wasting conditions since Mark was diagnosed aged four.

Over the course of more than 35 years he has raised a whopping £680,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK (MD UK).

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Mr Hopkins said: "This year will mark the 25th anniversary of Mark’s death so we are taking on Pedal Paddle Peak in his memory and honour."

"It looks fun, which will be a fitting tribute to Mark as he was full of fun and remained cheerful throughout his short life even though he realised quite early on that he was not likely to survive much beyond 20. As it turned out he only lived to the age of 17 but he will never be forgotten and we are truly grateful for the time that he was with us."

Brian, who has been chairman of Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Knowle and Dorridge branch for 27 years, hopes to raise £4,000 for MDUK alongside his team, known as Knowle and Dorridge.

He said: "I feel that it's so important to support MDUK right now as a lot of smaller charities have suffered, as most of their fundraising events had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions."

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Kiera Santry, Senior Challenge Events Officer at Muscular Dystrophy UK, organises the event.  She added: "We’re delighted to be returning to the Lake District for our seventh Pedal Paddle Peak this July. We always receive such a warm welcome in the Lakes and people travel from all over the country to take part. "