A BOXER is raising cash for a charity in honour of his friend’s son this weekend.

Blackburn boxer Darren Smith and friends from Lower Darwen gym FIT2XL are hoping to boost awareness and raise cash for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The 40-year-old said he was moved to support the cause when co-worker Nick Irlam told him about how the terminal illness affected his son, Tyler.

Darren said: “It is a very serious condition and it does shorten life. Because the muscle weakness increases gradually over the years, complications eventually develop. The breathing or heart problems usually become more serious for older teenagers or people in their twenties.

“As my partner and I have just recently had a little boy ourselves, this broke my heart.”

Darren and the gym’s owners are to complete 24 workout-of-the-day routines in a maximum 12-hour period. The charity event will be held at Duel Fit Boxing Club The Welcome Centre, Albert Mill, Duchess Street in Lower Darwen on Saturday, from 7am to 7pm.

To support the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/nick-irlam