A SUPERCARS dealership boss is leading a squad to tackle the Three Peaks walk in aid of a charity close to his heart.

Richard Masters will be part of a 20-strong group taking on the day-long challenge on Saturday, October 23, in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association charity.

They will take on the 26-mile trek across the three peaks; Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside in one day.

He was inspired to do the test after his aunt was diagnosed with the condition during lockdown last year.

He says he has also taken inspiration from former Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Rob Burrow, who was also diagnosed with MND, and has been doing his own campaigning.

Mr Masters has been in training for the Three Peaks test by taking on long walks and his squad will set off at 3.30am on the day and hopes to complete the walk in between 12 and 13 hours.

He has a number of businesses in the area, including his luxury and classic car dealers, Masters Prestige, sees him offer a slice of James Bond's lifestyle by selling modern and classic supercars, with prices ranging between £20,000 and £250,000.

He is also a property developer, working as managing director of RM Developments, and has completed work at a site in Eldwick earlier this year.

Mr Masters said: "It has hit home harder for us as a family. It was a big shock to all of us.

"I'm doing this for my aunt. They are close to a finding a breakthrough with regards to better treatment for MND.

"I have gone around to members of the local community for fundraising.

"I will give this walk a try and give it my all.

"The illness attacks someone pretty rapidly. It is a difficult thing to watch.

"I'm close to my aunt. She used to be an active, fit and healthy woman. She used to go on long trips to Australia and the USA. She is being as strong as you can be.

"I’m blown away with the support we have had from people in community and look forward to the challenge.

"I have been watching rugby legend Rob Burrow fight against the disease and this has spurred us all on to raise as much as we can in for the all important MNDA charity for the viral research they are doing in the hope to find a cure for the terrible condition.

"I am trying everything I can to raise as much money for vital research in finding better treatment and a cure for the horrible disease.

"This disease needs nipping in the bud."

MND describes a group of diseases that affect nerves in the brain and spinal cord, called motor neurones, which send messages to the muscles.

As the messages stop reaching them, the muscles gradually weaken and waste away. This affects how a person talks, eats, drinks and breathes.

The symptoms of MND can appear gradually and may not be obvious at first.

They can include: weakness in the ankles or legs, slurred speech which can develop into difficulty swallowing, a weak grip, muscle cramps and twitches, weight loss and shrinking of arm and leg muscles.

MND affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time.

It is more likely to occur in those who are over the age of 50, but can affect adults of all ages.

Go to justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-masters0 to make a donation.