A YOUNG Greenock dad who was diagnosed with an incurable illness at the age of just 31 has told how he is now confined to a wheelchair.

Danny Tonner — a former chef who ran restaurants all over Scotland — was told he had motor neurone disease (MND) after going to see a doctor about weakness in his limbs.

Now a team of his devoted friends are set to take on a mammoth mountain climbing challenge to raise money for the dad-of-two who 'keeps smiling' despite his illness.

Pals Sean Miller and Kevin Cunningham plan to scale Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike in the Lake District, and Mount Snowdon in Wales within 24 hours.

The intrepid duo, along with friends Andrew Deegan, Sean Rorrison, Brian Stevenson, Kieran Docherty, Brian Heron and Chris Hammill have already realised thousands of pounds.

Sean said: "It's difficult to describe what it's like watching the decline in health of one of your best friends.

"Before Danny was diagnosed with MND, he ran restaurants all over Scotland, as far afield as Skye.

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"He was supporting his family and doing well, but that's gone now.

"We don't want his family to have to worry about money every again.

"His attitude is amazing and he keeps smiling.

"We just want the time he has left to be really special and this money will help with that."

Danny, now 33, is dad to 11-year-old daughter Orlagh and son Daniel, four.

He told the Telegraph: "They're great pals doing this for me. "I'm so proud of them.

All the money raised from the gruelling 'Three Peaks Challenge' next month will be donated to Danny and his family.

Danny has also said he will donate some of the money to MND Scotland to thank the charity for its support.

Several of the men taking on the challenge have all known Danny since they were pupils at St Stephen's High School in Port Glasgow together.

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Pal Kevin Cunningham said he wasn't sure Danny was going to give the group the go-ahead at the start.

Kevin said: "I don't think he wanted us to do it originally as he didn't want people to know that he was living with the condition but he's so happy about it now.

"We had been speaking about doing it for a while so we're happy that we're getting it done.

"Only 40 per cent of people who start the challenge actually complete it but we're determined."

The dedicated walkers plan to set out for Ben Nevis on October 7, climb Scafell Pike with head torches in the dark after that, and finish with Snowdon.

Sean, Kevin and the team set up a JustGiving page on August 17 and the fundraiser has already generated nearly £5,000.

The page also ranked in the top five per cent of fundraisers across the whole of the platform for August.

Sean says the response to the fundraiser has been 'unbelievable', adding: "We had no idea it would take off the way it has.

"We've had so many amazing messages from people.

"It's helping us raise awareness of the condition and about what Danny and his family are going through."

Danny says he's not sure what his family will use the money for but says he definitely wants to use some of it to pay for tickets for a few Celtic games.

The team of walkers still have to sort out logistics and transport for the challenge so are keen to hear from sponsors and from anyone who could help out with buses and drivers.

Danny said: "I can't thank the guys enough for their dedication to the challenge.

"I'll be there at the end to see them finish it."

To donate, and to contact the team about transport for the challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dannyMND