A COASTGUARD has entered Sunday's Great North Run to raise awareness about the neurological condition affecting his wife.

Paul Waugh, Skinningrove Coastguards' deputy station officer, will be taking part in the marathon for the 14th time, this time to raise money for North-East-based charity Action for Dystonia, Diagnosis Education and Research (Adder).

Mr Waugh's wife Sue suffers from dystonia, a disorder characterised by involuntary muscle contractions that force parts of the body into abnormal and sometimes painful movements or postures.

It can affect any part of the body.

Three of Mrs Waugh's cousins, an aunt, brother, sister and niece all suffer from the condition.

"I developed dystonia when I was 28," she said.

"I was finding it almost impossible to walk. It can be very painful but, luckily, I respond to a drug called dop-amine so I am not as badly off as some people. It is a lack of dopamine that causes the condition.

"Some people are in wheelchairs and have twisted necks.

"It is a really big problem and there are hundreds of people in the North-East suffering from it, yet hardly anyone has heard of it.

"It is the second most common movement disorder after Parkinson's Disease."

Mr Waugh, who completed a coast-to-coast bike challenge earlier this year for the Butterwick Hospice, is dressing as a pirate for the Great North Run.

"I'm really proud of him," said Mrs Waugh.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Waugh is asked to call (01287) 654607.