A DAD who cares for his son round the clock has walked over 50 kilometres to raise money for two Cystic Fibrosis charities.

Jason Mcculloch, whose son Oscar, aged 3, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when he was three weeks old, walked the 50 kilometres on a treadmill at the Brunel Fitness Centre on Saturday, taking a total of nine hours to complete.

He managed to raise £300 for CF Community and Flutterby FUNdraisers, which provide holiday breaks for parents caring for children with Cystic Fibrosis.

The genetic disorder inhibits the proper functioning of the pancreas which regulates the production of sweat, digestive fluids and mucus.

Without a specific protein these become too thick and build up in the body, affecting major parts of the body including the lungs and intestine, leading to frequent lung infections and a short life expectancy.

Jason told the Advertiser: “Oscar has physio twice a day, that helps to move the secretions round, and he coughs it up. He has a nebuliser twice a day. And medication with every meal. Which he has to have because he can’t process fats and proteins.

“It’s done by both of us at home, it’s a full-time job for my wife and a constant worry.

“He has regular six-month check-ups. He has to go in for a full blood test and scans to make sure his levels are all OK and we adjust medication based on what they come back with.”

The challenges of caring for Oscar with his wife June McCulloch led Jason to undergo the endurance test.

He hopes to raise £5000 in total, and is planning a sponsored 100 mile cycle ride with June at the Asda Orbital Store on September 15.

“The walk was tough,” said Jason. “I walked for thirty-six kilometres and I started to really ache, so I put my runners on so I started jogging to try and stretch my legs.

“So for the last 15 kilometres I ran. Which sounds silly but it felt better. It was the toughest thing I’ve ever done. I cycled from London to Paris a few years ago but you can get some rest when your cycling because you still move. But with walking you can’t do that.

“Stood on a treadmill for nine hours – it’s a long way! At least when you’re outside you’ve got things to look and you can take you mind off of it for a little bit. But being stuck on a treadmill inside the Brunel just watching the kilometres tick by, it’s mentally tough.

"But I felt really proud of myself when I finished, and I’ve only got to go home and look at his face to know why I’m doing it.”

Jason's fundraising page can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/livehopecure-for-cf