CANAL walkers from Keighley raised more than £1,700 to make home life easier for a disabled Skipton teenager.

Rachael Meeking led the 13-mile fancy-dress walk along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath to raise cash for Scott Story.

Walking with her from Keighley to Skipton were daughter Korah Meeking and her friend Ady Maiden, who are both aged 11, Rachael’s partner John Whitaker, and her friends Kelli Smith and Trisha Pearson.

Rachael said: “We all did really well walking along, and Korah and Ady did amazing. We had lots of fun along the way.

“Not all the sponsor money is in yet, but so far I’ve handed £1,748 to Scott’s fundraising account including what we got from the Just Giving page.”

Scott, 15, who attends South Craven School in Cross Hills, lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a life-limiting, muscle wasting condition.

He needs specially-adapted accommodation and equipment for everyday living, and uses a wheelchair, but his family have always tried to give him as much independence as possible at home.

Funding was available to extend the family’s house in Skipton to provide Scott his own bedroom and bathroom, but the family discovered there was no money available for the equipment he needs for everyday living.

Mum-of-four Rachael, who lives in Braithwaite, did a sponsored walk in 2017, which raised more than £1,300, double the original target.

She raised more money later last year with a drag queen event, which featured a comedy act from Miss Ora Leigh.

Rachael said bathroom adaptations and equipment such as hoists were needed to help Scott around the house.

She said: “There is no cure for his condition, which is relentless and progressive, but he has a very positive attitude and is determined that he won’t be beaten.”

“He does his best in everything he tackles.

“Scott’s always been a bit shy, but he has some really good friends and like many boys his age, he loves nothing more than playing on his Xbox. He is a happy, funny boy.”

Scott grew normally during his first year of life and was walking at 16 months. But as he continued to develop, his family noticed he wasn’t as agile as other children.

He was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which affects the heart and lungs, in 2007.

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rachael-meeking-1 to donate in aid of Scott.