Given the devastating news that his son was suffering from a rare illness that would kill him in his teens, Alex Smith was inspired to take on an awe-inspiring charity challenge.

In 2011, Alex learned that his son, Harrison, was suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a debilitating and life-shortening condition. Five years later, and this June, Alex found himself carrying his son and contemplating the sort of physical endurance test that would make most people shiver with fear.

Alex completed an ultra-triathlon - a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and a 42.2km run - pulling and pushing Harrison around the course using specially adapted kit. By anyone’s estimation, it was an astonishingly tough ask but, despite being asked plenty of questions during the 13 hours he was on the course, he answered them all with aplomb.

He has now successfully raised £50,000 for Harrison’s fund, a charity he himself set-up to help find a cure for the disease. In total, since 2011, the family have raised over £1.5m.