A SCHOOLBOY from York has taken on a muddy challenge to raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

Sam Clark, a year one pupil at Wigginton Primary School, said he wanted to take part in a fundraising run with a difference to boost funds for the MS Society as his grandfather Tim has multiple sclerosis.

Sam's mother Nicola said he often wanted to do the same things as his father, Simon Duck, and they felt the Spartan Run - where racers run, walk, crawl and climb their way through a fun-filled obstacle course - could be a worthwhile event for him to take part in.

Nicola said: "Simon has done this for a while now. He really enjoys them. He did this event for the first time last year and we saw there was a junior one this year. Sam asked if he could do it, and we said 'why not'.

"Simon works in the ambulance service, and I suggested Sam may like to be sponsored to raise some money for the air ambulance as he is mad on the helicopter but he wasn’t keen. He said 'I would rather raise some pennies for MS so they can make my Grandpa better'."

The Junior Spartan Run covers a distance of 750 metres with about 10 obstacles, including cargo nets and muddy pits, and Nicola said Sam loved every minute of it.

"He got really stuck in and lost his shoes three times in the mud, but he absolutely loved it and had a great day.

"Simon's run that day was 5km with a lot more obstacles, including eight foot walls and a fire pit, which Sam is a bit young for just yet."

So far, Sam has raised more than £530 in support of the charity, and Nicola said while it may not directly help Sam's grandfather, it would help fund research which can help future generations.

Liz Clark, Sam's grandmother, said: "It is heart-warming to know that there is a kind-hearted little soul who wants to do something special to help his Grandpa."