A CHARITY fundraiser from Crewkerne is gearing up for his next mammoth event.

Mark Hughes will raise money for The Lily Foundation with a big obstacle course event on Christmas Eve.

The dad-of-two has organised the fitness challenge to raise money and awareness for those battling with life-limiting mitochondrial disorders, which are inherited chronic conditions.

Sufferers include his 10-year-old daughter Sophie.

Mr Hughes said: “I am running a fun Christmas Eve obstacle course to help raise funds for The Lily Foundation.

“I’ve wanted to run an event on Christmas Eve for a while now as I know Christmas is a time we over-indulge, so why not stoke up your fires for it.

“The Turkey Run Obstacle Course will take place up on Misterton Recreation Ground near Crewkerne.

“Participants will tackle fitness obstacles around the edge of the Park ranging from slalom poles to tyres and also run Workout Hill on every lap of the 45-minute course.

“Participants can either go fast around and try for a first place prize of a home fitness bundle or do it to just get round and have fun, burning calories to make room for their Christmas dinners.

“Entry is £2 on the day with proceeds to The Lily Foundation raising funds for research into mitichondrial disorders, a cause close to my heart as my daughter Sophie sadly suffers from this condition.”

Mr Hughes is no stranger to fundraising for the charity, having completed a 24-hour cycle challenge earlier this year.

He added: “Sophie’s mitochondria is progressive. It affects the energy her cells make.

“It gets worse and it will mean she will probably have a shorter life but it is all about the quality of life.

“She is the oldest surviving child with her condition at the moment.

“The Lily Foundation is researching into it and trying to find a cure in the future for what she has. It affects more people than you would think.”

The foundation funds research into mitochondrial disease and other metabolic disorders, the training of medical teams and aid for families stricken with metabolic disorders.

Visit www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk.

The obstacle course start time is 9.15am with a course briefing at 9am. Visit www.markonefitness.com.