A man from who was told by doctors he’d be dead by the time he was 20 has proved them wrong after turning into a fitness fanatic.

Jed Thirkettle, from Hertfordshire, will spend 24 hours doing intense cardio, workouts and yoga – without rest – on Saturday, to commemorate his remarkable journey and to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

The 24-year-old was diagnosed with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy at the age of eight, and was told he would likely be in a wheelchair by the time he was 12 and on a ventilator by 14.

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He said: ‘When I was growing up, I was always noticeably slower, weaker, and less physically developed than the kids in my class. The doctors kept saying that I was just developing slowly and that I’d catch up, but I didn't. At the age of eight, the doctors recommended a muscle biopsy – that's when we got the devastating news that I had been diagnosed with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy.

Jed Thirkettle doing a workout at a gym
Jed was determined to not let the condition dictate his everyday life and he worked hard to protect his fitness

"Back then, my parents and I were told that we only had a few years until I'd be in a wheelchair. They told us I'd be on a ventilator at age 14, and I'd be lucky to live past 20. It was overwhelming to hear this devastating news, especially for my parents."

Despite this news, Jed was determined to not let the condition dictate his everyday life and he worked hard to protect his fitness by staying as healthy, and active as he can.

He started going to the gym and took up running, creating a daily routine of weightlifting and eating healthily. This gradually enabled him to build muscle and increase his confidence.

Jed tried and tested various workout and nutrition routines, lifting heavier weights and developing more muscle, which massively helped with his physical strength and self-esteem.

But life is still difficult for Jed and everyday activities like going upstairs or getting up and down from the floor quickly pose a struggle.

Jed Thirkettle doing a workout at a gym
He will spend 24 hours doing intense cardio, workouts and yoga - without rest - to commemorate his remarkable journey

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He added: "I spent 22 years wishing that I could be stronger, faster, bigger, and more muscular. But it’s just not a healthy way to live. When you’re fixated on what you haven’t got yet, you don't get to enjoy the moment you're in now. I've finally come to terms with that, which is why I try to focus on the here and now – and do all I can today to help people in my position."

Over the years, Jed’s friends, family and wider community have formed ‘Team Jed’ and raised £200,000 to support Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle-wasting and weakening conditions. The 24-hour event will kick off at 10am on Saturday 4 November to 10am on Sunday 5 November at Buzz Gym, on Cannon Street, Central London.