TWIN brothers living with a terminal muscle-wasting disease are hoping to fulfil their dream of visiting major London attractions.

Teenagers Charlie and Corey Merrington, of Peterlee, have been living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy for almost ten years after being diagnosed when they were just four years old.

The Northern Echo:

Mountain bike champion Danny Hart

The severe and progressive condition is the most common fatal genetic disorder in children around the world and affects mainly boys who cannot produce dystrophin - an essential protein the body needs to build up muscles.

As a result, every muscle in the body deteriorates gradually and most children die before their early 20s.

The youngsters’ mum, Marie Merrington, said she was devastated when she was told about the condition as their slow development had originally been put down to them being premature.

“That was heart-wrenching being told that your children had a terminal illness,” the mother-of-four said. “It was really, really, hard and it’s still heartbreaking having to sit and watch them deteriorate every single day but it’s about raising awareness.”

Now 13, the Hopewood Academy pupils both use powered wheelchairs but are determined to make the most of life.

They were meant to go on a trip to Florida through the Make A Wish Foundation, but unfortunately their condition deteriorated making the journey impossible.

Instead, Ms Merrington has teamed up with owner of The Bicycle Repairman Peterlee, Kev Waring, and world mountain bike champion Danny Hart to put on a special fundraiser at his track in Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland.

The Descend for Duchenne event will be held at Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park on May 21 and give up to 40 sponsored riders the chance to clock up 500 miles with the park’s downhill trails.

All proceeds raised will be split between Muscular Dystrophy UK and the boys who are hoping to fulfill their dreams of visiting the Harry Potter Studios and the Lego store in London.

The boys are also hoping to cheer on supporters on the day, which starts at 9.30am.

“They are excited and all they say is ‘Wow, a lot of people are helping us’; they just think it’s amazing,” Ms Merrington, 47, added.

Tickets cost £30 with £5 from every ticket going to Muscular Dystrophy UK.