DOZENS showed their support for a little boy battling a muscle wasting condition as they took part in a special sponsored run at the weekend.

Four-year-old Ryan Chidzey, of Gainford, County Durham, was the star of the show at the Run for Ryan, on Sunday.

The event, held in and around the village, raised more than £500 for Muscular Dystrophy UK - the fatal condition Ryan suffers from.

Following his diagnosis in January, his family vowed to raise £50,000 for the charity in the hope of finding a cure for their little boy.

And everyone from Ryan's family to the local policeman came out in force for the sponsored five-mile and children's trail runs.

Ryan's mum, Claire Chidzey, said she wanted to thank everyone who took part as the family are now so close to hitting the £20,000 milestone.

"It was a fantastic day with a great atmosphere," she said. "It was emotional to think everybody was there doing it for your son and it was really nice that everyone enjoyed it."

To donate visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/muscular-dystrophy/ourfightforryan