A GREENOCK tot with a rare muscle wasting condition joined his dad on a mammoth 96-mile trek for charity.

Little Harry McCallum, two, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, was strapped to his dad David’s back for the first stretch of his five-day trek along the West Highland Way.

The intrepid dad took on the challenge with a group of his friends and family, including his wife Linsay, and raised about £1,500 for The Eileen McCallum Trust — a voluntary organisation set up to help families in Scotland who are helped by the disease.

He said: “We were shattered and our feet and legs were aching but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

“The scenery was breathtaking and Harry absolutely loved it.

“He came with us for the first seven miles and he really enjoyed himself.” Also completing the gruelling hike with a different group was David’s school friend Joanne Deacon and his sister Lorraine Smythies, who both travelled from Lancashire to take part.

David said: “My sister had only given birth to her son Louie eight weeks before by Caesarean section so it was amazing that she completed it. Both Lorraine and Joanne found it tough but I inspired them as while we were walking I could see on my phone that people were donating online.” Setting off from Milngavie, the groups made their way to Fort William by walking up to 27 miles a day in sweltering temperatures and then camping each night.

David added: “It was great when we finished as we were welcomed with a piper and a cold can of Irn Bru. There was such a great atmosphere as lots of people were finishing at the same time.

“My feet and ankles were swollen for about a week after it.” David, who lives with Harry and his wife Linsay in Essex Road, was keen to thank everyone who took part including his sister-in-law Michelle Gorman, his father-in-law Anthony Hawke and his eight-year-old nephew Kyle McKee.

He said: “Kyle was an absolute trooper and when he got tired he kept saying ‘come on body, you can do it!” He was also keen to thank Lorraine’s team.

With donations still coming in, David hopes the final total raised will be about £3,000.

Last year, the Tele told how Harry has Duchenne, an incurable condition which is likely to leave him in a wheelchair before he reaches his teens.

But Harry’s proud parents are determined not to dwell on their difficulties and insist their son will live life to the full.

David says Harry is thriving despite breaking his leg recently.

He said: “He broke his femur while he was coming down the stairs.

“He didn’t fall but he put his left foot down and his right foot was left behind and he broke the bone.

“He had to spend four weeks in plaster but he’s got that off now and he’s doing great.” Anyone who would like to donate money to the appeal should search for Harry McCallum’s fundraising page online.