CROOKLANDS schoolboy Will Taylor was a superhero for the day when he took part in the Superhero Triathlon near Windsor.

The ten-year-old and his dad, Sam, dressed as secret agent Danger Mouse and his faithful sidekick, Penfold.

Will was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2014, a genetic condition which means he struggles with mobility as his muscles are getting weaker.

He and his dad took on the sprint event at the Olympic Rowing Lake at Eton Dorney, comprising a 150-metre open water swim, 3km bike ride and 1km push/run. The Superhero Triathlon is an annual event for disabled athletes and their sidekicks.

The Taylor family have taken on many physical challenges in the past five years to raise awareness as well as money for the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Dad Sam said: "Will was amazing. Walking 1km unaided in particular is a huge challenge for him, but he completed the whole event on his own and finished with a huge smile on his face.”

Will added: "The Superhero Triathlon was really good; the swim was quite hard, and the run was very long, but lots of people were cheering us on and shouting, Come on, Danger Mouse! That was really fun."

Meanwhile, on August 30 and 31 the family will be holding their own fundraiser on August 30 and 31, billed as the Longest Steepest Highest Quadrathlon. More than 40 people will be taking on the one-mile swim and 11-mile kayak on Windermere, a 25-mile bike ride including Wrynose and Hardknott passes, and a walk or run over Scafell Pike.

Sam said: “We have over 40 participants coming to take on this challenge either solo or as part of a team. It’s a tough course; the guys will really earn their sponsorship.

"All of the money donated will go to Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Duchenne Breakthrough Research Fund, which funds research into treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy’.

The Quadrathlon has been supported by many local businesses including Anord Mardix, JMP Foodservice, NFU Mutual Kendal, BillerudKorsnäs, Hawkshead Brewery and Furness Building Society.

To follow the Taylor family’s fundraising, and the Quadrathlon in particular, go to www.facebook.com/longeststeepesthighest

If you would like to donate to Muscular Dystrophy UK, go to www.justgiving.com/suetaylorlshq