A WOMAN from Okehampton is taking on the challenge of a lifetime to raise money for research into her son's condition.

Hannah Woods is mum to Morgan, aged 9, who has congenital melanocytic naevus, a rare disfiguring mole like birthmark that can cover up to 80% of the body.

Morgan has a bathing trunk birthmark from the middle of his back down to his thighs, and hundreds of smaller marks all over his body.

CMN syndrome is the association of these moles with brain problems such as brain or spinal tumours, too much fluid around the brain and abnormal brain structure.

One of the most common complications of the condition is malignant melanoma of the skin or brain, which is currently untreatable and rapidly fatal.

Morgan visits Great Ormond Street Hospital for check-ups every six months, including MRI scans and has also had lumps removed.

The syndrome is thought to affect just one in 20,000 babies born in the UK and many families can struggle for months or even years to get a diagnosis.

Hannah is climbing 24 Peaks in 24 Hours for Caring Matters Now, the only UK dedicated support group for people affected by CMN.

As the name suggests, she will trek up and down 24 peaks in the Lake District within 24 hours, ascending a total of 13,986 feet.

She says it's important that the cause for 80% of CMN cases has been discovered, so that funds can be raised to develop life-saving treatments for the future.

Hannah said: 'When Morgan was born, nobody could tell us what this huge dark mark on his skin was.

'We didn't know what the best course of action was, if we should try to have it removed or not.

'We weren't just worried about how it could affect his health, we were also concerned how it would affect him socially.

'People can be very hurtful, even when they don't mean to be, which is why we want to raise awareness about CMN syndrome as well as money for research.'

Hannah is one of 24 fundraisers attempting the physical and mental challenge between June 14 and June 16, and is aiming to raise at least £1,000 towards the charity's £12,000 target.

'This is going to be the toughest thing I've ever done, but I will be inspired every step of the way by Morgan' said Hannah.

To find out more about CMN syndrome visit http://www.caringmattersnow.co.uk">www.caringmattersnow.co.uk