Robert and Catherine Curtis have organised the challenge to raise money for children born with rare genetic disorders.

Their two-year-old son William was diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome when he was five months old. The condition mostly affects boys - afflicting around four in a million at any one time.

Children with the disease have a weakened immune system so are more likely to get infections in their lungs or sinuses. The disease also makes it more likely that sufferers will get certain types of cancer.

Last year William underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant at Great Ormond Street hospital.

The Curtis family`s Just A Walk To The Beach event will involve participants travelling from all over the country by foot or bike to reach Saunton Sands in Devon on Sunday, September 14.

Mr Curtis will be walking from the family home in Holt with his 9ft surfboard. Other friends will be travelling from London to Saunton on a tandem carrying bodyboards, while another couple will cycle more than 100 miles from Basingstoke.

Mrs Curtis said: "We are so grateful for the support of our families and friends during William`s treatment and are very excited that so many of them want to be part of Just A Walk To The Beach too.

"Whenever we can we load up the car with boards and a tent and head for Saunton.

"It was also where we took William for his first day out after the operation."

People are being encouraged to support the event even if they cannot travel to Saunton on the day. Ideas include `swimming to the beach`, which could involve a sponsored swim in a local swimming pool.

There will also be a 10k walk taking place along the coastal path running behind Saunton Sands on the day.

The family have already held a launch picnic for those signed up for the walk. This included a treasure hunt, a leaky bucket relay race and a sandcastle competition.

The money raised from the event will go to Jeans for Genes and the Sick Children`s Trust.

Jeans for Genes help children around the UK affected by genetic disorders and the Sick Children`s Trust provides family accommodation so that children don`t have to be separated from their families while in hospital receiving treatment for serious illnesses.

To find out more visit www.justawalktothebeach.org .

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