A group of petrolheads spent 24 hours racing around a track in go karts for charity last weekend.

The group were raising money for the Huntington’s Disease Association because the wife of the race organiser suffers from the rare and debilitating condition.

Martin Maskelyne’s wife Julie, of Lambrok Road in Trowbridge, was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease six years ago.

Mr Maskelyne, 41, decided to organise the race to raise funds for research into the disease, which Mrs Maskelyne’s sons stand a 75 per cent chance of developing.

The three boys – Jayson Edmonds, 20, Wayne Edmonds, 24, and Jamie Edmonds, 23 – all took part in the event, at M4 Karting in Hullavington, and Mrs Maskelyne, 46, started the race off on Saturday lunchtime.

Mr Maskelyne said: “It was brilliant. Everyone enjoyed it.

“Julie was up there, she started the race off and finished it with the chequered flag. Her sons all took part too.”

Huntington’s Disease, or HD, is an hereditary disorder of the central nervous system which leads to gradual physical, mental and emotional changes, including uncontrollable muscular movements, stumbling and clumsiness, lack of concentration, short-term memory lapses, depression and mood changes.

The Huntington's Disease Association (HDA) supports people affected by the disease and is funded only through charitable donations. A representative from the HDA was there on the race day to provide information.

Mr Maskelyne said that organising the race had led him to meet other people in the area affected by the disease.

“A lot of people came up to watch and put in some money for the charity,” he said.

“There were 36 drivers in five teams taking part - everyone had a day off on Monday to recover.

“At night time it started to hit home a little bit. Some of them were getting a bit tired. But when day broke through everyone chirped up again.”

He said he is still collecting money from each of the teams and will present a cheque to the charity once all the money is collected.

He added: “I’d like to thank Mr Carter at Bookers in Trowbridge who gave us some energy drinks and everyone who turned up and took part. We had a really good weekend.”