LIVING with Progeria is a daily battle for Mirfield teenager Harry Crowther and his friend Hayley Okines.

Now the pair’s brave approach has inspired their families to take up their own gruelling challenge – by running 10 marathons in 10 days.

Harry’s dad John, 43, kicked off the first leg of the 272-mile mission by completing 29 miles on the first day.

He joined runners Charlotte Okines – Hayley’s sister – and her friends Becky and Tim Reid, who will be running a marathon a day for the next 10 days.

The route started at Harry’s Mirfield home and will end at Hayley’s house in Bexhill-on-Sea in Kent on April 14.

The event is aimed at raising awareness for Progeria – a fatal genetic condition which resembles premature ageing.

The runners are also hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the Progeria Family Circle – a charity which supports sufferers and their families.

Harry’s mum Sharron said: “The money they raise will help pay for reunions for all the kids to get together.

“It is absolutely vital they get together and have fun. There are no doctor’s appointments or physio sessions to go to.

“Their life expectancy is not great and two months after the last reunion we lost one of the children, so it is really important.”

IT director John has been training hard for the run, since he decided to take part.

Sharron added: “He runs about five miles on a night anyway and has done 10k races before and even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity last year.

“But in the last month he has really knuckled down to train hard. He got up to 20 miles so the extra nine will be tough for him.”

Hayley, 14, travelled up from Kent to be there to wave-off the runners from Harry’s home.

“It was a lovely surprise to see Hayley – we had no idea she was coming,” said Sharron.

“As soon as Harry saw her dad carrying her out of the car, he ran out to her. It was very sweet.”

Both teenagers were born with different forms of Progeria. Harry’s is A-typical, making him the only sufferer in the world.

The 13-year-old suffers from arthritis in his joints, because his body is ageing much faster.

His cells are currently being analysed by scientists in America, sparking fresh hope for his parents of a new treatment that could help him.

Hayley suffers from Hutchinson Gilford Progeria syndrome – which makes her body age 10 times faster than normal. She now has to use a wheelchair and the condition has left her bald and suffering from arthritis and heart problems.

To sponsor the team visit www.justgiving.com/teninten.