A DROITWICH woman is planning to celebrate her 70th birthday by completing a 10k road race in her powered wheelchair.

Cynthia Hale was diagnosed with the muscle wasting condition muscular dystrophy nearly 50 years ago, and had always assumed she would never be able to take part in a road race on this distance, but when she heard last year, about two people who took part in an event in their wheelchairs, she immediately signed herself up.

Mrs Hale, who is a great-grandmother, will be taking on the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Oxford Town and Gown 10k on Sunday, May 11, and she has already raised more than £400 for the charity.

She said: “I was diagnosed with FSH muscular dystrophy in my twenties. I actually belong to one of the largest family groups in the country affected by the condition, my two sons and daughter, my grandson, five of my cousins and several aunts have it.

“Over the years I have witnessed events like the London Marathon and the Birmingham Marathon, which seem such a wonderful thing to be part of and admire those who do them. I had always just assumed they would be closed to me, but then a few weeks ago I read about the people who had taken part in the Town and Gown race in wheelchairs last year. I am now all signed up and really looking forward to it. It’s something I am doing for me, and I can’t wait.”

Toya Champ, challenge events manager for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, added: “We are honoured that Cynthia has chosen to mark a milestone birthday by taking part in the Oxford Town and Gown 10k and hope that we can offer her a truly fantastic morning to remember. Hopefully her story will inspire other powerchair-users to get involved.“

To support Cynthia visit justgiving.com/CYNTHIA-HALE.