THE childhood friends of a man who died from Motor Neurone Disease aged just 38 have successfully completed the Dales Way to support the work of a charity set up in his memory.

Nick 'Smudger' Smith died in December 2017 just 101 days after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. He was 38 and had two young children, Hadyn and Georgia, with his wife, Rachel.

The Nick Smith Foundation raises money in his name to support research into MND, support children who have had to face the death of a parent and support young people to take up and play rugby league.

Peter Haigh, a local dad of two boys and under 6s rugby coach at Ilkley Rugby Club and his friends Dan Pell, Edward Oliver, Ross Hartley, Ryan Jepson and Phil Tucker set themselves a challenge to walk the 80 miles of the Dales Way in two days.

They set off from Ilkley on Friday, September 10 at 6am and finished at Windermere on Saturday, September 11 at around 8pm.

They have already raised over £3,000. To sponsor the team please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/daleswayforsmudger?fbclid=IwAR24oqlVLuhytC1HgZnh6taxmlruJkM7Kl-vL4YU4H_SYq70uWO92yKZf2I