A family-of-five from Watford hope to raise £2,000 after completing the Great North Run for charity.

Pharmacist Mike Carter, 49, and his wife Debbie, 43, with daughter Bethan, 22, and son Richard, 20, of Gade Avenue, pushed their son Edward in his wheelchair along the 13.1 mile course in a quest to raise £2,000 for the charity that has cared for him.

Edward, 18, suffers from Cerebral Palsy and is also registered blind. Since starting Chailey Heritage School, he has been attending 2nd Chailey Scouts in Chailey, Sussex.

The Carters want the donations to go towards future summer camps the charity, which supports about 15 disabled scouts, has run for the last 20 years.

These require day carers, night staff and nurses for the necessary 24 hour care of the scouts. Transportation of hospital beds and other equipment is also required.

"They've been so helpful to us and we wanted to show our appreciation to them," Mike said. “They are a small charity who make a big difference.”

Cerebral palsy is a disorder usually caused by brain damage occurring at or before birth and shown by muscular impairment. Both Mike and Debbie have had to remain flexible with their careers to look after Edward whenever he is home from his residential placement at Chailey School.

The run was an idea of Debbie's who wanted the family to do something active and get Edward involved too.

"He just loves to be involved in so many activities," Mike said.

Mike, Debbie and Edward are members of Disability Snowsport, the local group based in Hemel Hempstead Ski Centre, and, along with brother Richard, are also long-term season ticket holders at Watford Football Club, who kindly loaned the family shirts for the half marathon on September 19.

Edward, Bethan and Richard finished the race in 2h 40m, while Mike and Debbie finished ten minutes later.

“It was a great feeling for the first eight miles, running with so many others, and with an almost continuous line of people along the side of the roads cheering us on,” said Mike.

"Edward and his fellow scouts enjoy the camps so much, and get so much pleasure from them that we think it's important. It's great to be able to relax knowing not just your child is being well looked after, but also he is having a great time on holiday as well.”

To sponsor the Carter's challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/carter-family.