THREE well-wishers are to run the Derby 10k to raise money to send poorly twins on magical adventures such as Disney World.

Four-year-olds Sam and Alex Bolton both suffer from genetic condition type-two spinal muscular atrophy, which causes the spinal cord to deteriorate and breaks the link with the brain and muscles.

The boys are confined to wheelchairs and may not survive to adulthood.

But they can look forward to various treats thanks to the fund-raising efforts of family friends Kevin Troop, Chris Bolton and Pete Manning.

They will take part in the Derby 10k street race on Sunday, April 11, and will donate their sponsorship money to the twins.

Meanwhile, Sam and Alex's dad, Ian Bolton, will run the same race to raise funds for Rainbows Children's Hospice, which the twins enjoy visiting.

And Sam and Alex will greet them at the finish line before taking part in a 3k fun run afterwards.

They will be joined by their mum, Sarah Wilson, Mr Troop's wife, Carol, and their own 11-year-old twins, Abigail and Daniella, who are all raising money for the Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Miss Wilson, of Beechwood Crescent, Littleover, said the three causes were extremely important.

She said: "It can be expensive to take the boys away on holiday because the travel insurance is higher and they require specialist accommodation.

"But at the end of the day they are just ordinary boys who can't walk and deserve to go on holiday. They'd love to go to Disney in Florida.

"They also absolutely love it at Rainbows. The staff there are simply amazing.

"The work they do is so important because they give parents a break.

"And we wanted to support the Jennifer Trust because it carries out research to find a cure for spinal muscular atrophy, which obviously is something that interests us."

It will be the third time Mr Troop, of Silverburn Drive, Oakwood, has run the Derby 10k.

Having clocked up finishing times of 63 minutes and 43 seconds, and 60 minutes and 22 seconds, Mr Troop said he is desperate to complete it inside 60 minutes.

He said: "I've been keeping quite fit over the past year so I'm fairly confident. The trouble is they say allow an extra minute for every year older you are, so I think it'll be a close call."

The annual Derbyshire Building Society 10k and Fun Run is organised by Sporting Futures, a Derby-based charity that uses sport to reach out to young people and help them gain life skills.

The 10k will start at 9.30am and the 3k at 11am.

The entry deadline has passed but late entries, at £25, are being accepted until Friday, subject to availability.

The 3k costs £5 to enter in advance, £7 on the day.

To enter visit www.sport ing-futures.org.uk.

Tell us why you are running the 10k – call Paul Whyatt on 01332 253053 or e-mail pwhyatt@derbytelegraph.co. uk.