A PRESTON couple are to scoot to Paris later this year in a push to raise money for research into their son's life-threatening disease.

Roy and June Robinson, of Bidson Street, will hop on-board micro-scooters and travel around 430 miles to raise cash for the muscle weakening disease Myasthenia Gravis -- a severe condition which could cause the heart to collapse at any time.

The couple's son Martin Pugh was just 11 when he contracted the terrible disease. Although there is no known cure he is on medication to help sustain his life.

It means Preston College student Martin -- who celebrated his 17th birthday on Tuesday -- could collapse and die if the muscles around his heart give way.

Dad Roy said: "Martin is very weak without medication and although he wants to work hard and play football he has to rest.

"He is learning to cope a lot better with the disease but 12 months ago it was still hitting him very hard -- he was frustrated because of the limits in what he can do.

"The most frustrating thing is nobody knows exactly what the illness is and, until we do, Martin can't get the help he needs."

To help the Roy and June on their way kind-hearted bosses at Fitness First, in Hollins Road, Preston, have sponsored the couple with £600 worth of raffle tickets, each worth a three-day pass at the health centre, while the winner scoops a year's membership.

Roy said: "All money raised will go to the cause.

"It will take us about two weeks to get to Paris. We haven't been able to persuade P&O Ferries or British Airways to give us a free lift home, so we've still to make arrangements to get back."

Steve Annable, regional organiser of the Myasthenia Gravis Association in Preston, said: "This ties in with association's 25th anniversary.

"Roy has just been made redundant so it is even more important to support the family -- they need a cross-channel ferry to take them over to France and a flight to get them home."

Call Roy and June on 703760 to help.