Mum to take on famous German race track in memory of son

Declan Spencer, who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, had hoped to take on the Nürburgring himself

A mother says she hopes to keep her son's legacy alive by completing his wish to take on a famous German race track.

Declan Spencer, from Syston in Leicestershire, had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and died in August aged 24.

Now his mother, Alex, says she is going to "keep my promise" and drive around the Nürburgring track in his adapted van in April.

She said the experience had been one of Mr Spencer's bucket list items.

Mr Spencer was diagnosed with the incurable progressive muscle wastage condition when he was eight.

By the age of 13, he was completely dependent on a wheelchair and later struggled with everyday activities without help, which took a toll on his mental health.

Due to his condition he was told he would never drive, but in 2018 he said his passion for cars gave him the "determination" to pass his driving test in a specially-adapted mobility van.

Mr Spencer's mother, Alex, has been documenting her "grieving journey" on social media

He was then due to drive the van around the Nürburgring track.

His mother said: "Unfortunately, mainly due to Covid, this never happened and Dec passed away six months ago without ticking it off his wish list."

Ms Spencer said she had now teamed up with True Rally with the aim of fulfilling his dream on 19 April.

"I have now taken on his bucket list and his beloved van," she said. "I am of course going to keep to the promise that I made to my son.

"I am driving his van in convoy with 24 other cars to Germany and then on the track."

Ms Spencer said eventually she hoped to work with charities to give disabled children and adults a UK track day experience in Mr Spencer's van.

"I want to bring happiness to other people like the van did him," she said. "He always had a smile on his face.

"I hope sharing Dec's story and my grieving journey will inspire young disabled adults and help their families."

Ms Spencer said she had already completed some of her son's other wishes, including surfing and quad biking in Australia to mark the six-month anniversary of his death.

Among the experiences Mr Spencer himself had been able to tick off were a visit to London's National Science Museum, a Harry Styles concert at Wembley and meeting the cast of the London musical Mrs Doubtfire.