12 hours ago
Gymgoers to lift the weight of a jumbo jet for little boy with rare condition
GYMGOERS are set to lift the weight of a jumbo jet to help raise money for a little boy with a severe genetic condition.
Colin Morgan, 67, is leading the charge at the Flow Gym, in West Mersea, after being contacted by Jacob Ackerman's parents Lydia and her husband Harry.
Jacob was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at just two years old.
Strength - Jacob Ackerman was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy aged two (Image: Submitted)Muscular dystrophy is a severe genetic condition which gradually causes the muscles to weaken and can become life-threatening if it affects the heart.
There is no cure for muscular dystrophy, but treatment can help with many of the symptoms.
Jacob's Jumbo Lift will see a team of 12 men and women from the gym attempt to lift the equivalent weight of a fully laden Boeing 747-400 Jumbo Jet in aid of the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Organiser - Challenge organiser Colin Morgan (Image: Submitted)Mr Morgan said the team named the The Dumbbell Dozen have been 'putting in some serious training and are in great shape'.
He said: 'We are absolutely confident of hitting our target total weight of 420 tonnes and indeed expect to add at least a couple of London buses, a Lear Jet and a family of African elephants to the final total."
Mr Morgan said fundraising has reached more than £3,500.
A total of £50 would fund one hour of high-quality research, £100 raised will fund a day of helpline operation, and £200 will fund an information day, bringing experts and the MD community together.
Fundraiser - The month-long fundraiser will raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK (Image: Submitted)
Team - The Dumbbell Dozen will be wearing branded t-shirts as part of the challenge, raising awareness (Image: Submitted) There will also be high-profile visitors to the challenge with Sir Bernard Jenkin, MP for Harwich and North Essex, visiting the challenge in action on July 11.
The mayors of West Mersea and Colchester will also be in attendance, along with the national chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, Andy Fletcher.
For more updates including progress on the challenge visit
