7th September – A Day for Us, Together
Last year, something monumental happened.
For the first time ever, the United Nations has officially recognised 7th September as World Duchenne Awareness Day—a powerful moment of global recognition for our Duchenne community.
This day is for you. For your child. For your family. For everyone who faces Duchenne with strength, resilience and love.
Share your story for Duchenne
This year’s theme is “Family: the heart of care”
Together, as a united community, we’re sharing our stories—speaking out for inclusion, access, care, and understanding.
We know that the Duchenne journey is filled with challenges. But it’s also filled with courage, love, and fierce advocacy. Your story matters. And together, we’re louder and stronger.
Challenge 79 – Created with You in Mind
The dystrophin gene is one of the largest genes in the human body, and it’s made up of 79 exons (pieces of a gene). The body puts these 79 exons together to create the full dystrophin protein, which is essential for keeping muscles strong and stable. If one or more exons are missing or faulty this can lead to Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
We invite you and your family to take part in Challenge 79—a simple, creative way to raise awareness and feel connected with the global Duchenne community.
Pick an activity connected to the number 79—big or small—and do it in your own way, at your own pace, with your favourite people.
Need ideas?
- Build with 790 LEGO bricks
- Paint 79 rocks
- Read 79 pages of your favourite book
- Share 79 kind messages
- Walk 7.9 miles over the month
- Tell 79 reasons why your child is amazing
Do it as a family, with your school, your workplace—or just for yourselves. There’s no wrong way to take part.
Why It Matters
Duchenne is life-changing. And we know it’s not just about one person—it affects your whole family, every single day.
We do this to raise awareness.To build a more inclusive world. And most of all, to show our children and young people that their lives matter, their voices matter—and they are never alone.
Let’s Lift Each Other Up
We’d love to celebrate your Challenge 79 stories.
📸 Send your photos to fundraising@actionduchenne.org
📱 Tag us on social media using @ActionDuchenne and #Challenge79
This is your day. This is your story. And your voice has power.
Let’s raise it—together.
Challenge 79 – Get Involved Your Way
We’ve put together some fun ideas to get you started—but we know you and your family will have even more creative ones! Whether you’re walking, wheeling, baking, drawing or doing something completely unique, your Challenge 79 is all about what works for you.
Once you’ve picked your challenge, be sure to register so we can support you every step of the way. Need help or advice? We’re just an email or message away.
We’d love to see what you get up to! Send your photos to fundraising@actionduchenne.org or tag us on social media using @ActionDuchenne and #Challenge79
Need Inspiration? Here Are Some Accessible & Family-Friendly Ideas:
🎉 Host a 1979-Themed Party Night
Get retro! Dress up, dance, or quiz like it’s 1979.
🧠 79 Themed Quiz Night
Host a fun trivia night—at home or online!
🎲 Play 79 Board Games (Or Just One… 79 Times!)
Perfect for rainy days or family game nights.
🧁 Host a 79-Themed Cake Sale
Bake and sell goodies—maybe even 79 of them!
📸 Take 79 Photos
Capture moments that matter: family, friends, pets, or nature.
🎨 Draw 79 Pictures or Create 79 Crafts
Perfect for creative minds of all ages and abilities.
📖 Write 79 Short Stories or Poems
Great for school-aged kids or budding authors.
📷 Have a 79-Minute Photo Challenge
See how many interesting or funny photos you can take in 79 minutes.
🧱 Build with 790 LEGO Bricks
A great family activity—build your own Duchenne landmark!
🧘♂️ Record 79 Minutes of Physical Activity
This could be stretches, wheelchair dancing, hand cycling, or even therapy sessions.
🏖 Build 79 Sandcastles or Collect 79 Shells
Heading to the coast? Make it meaningful.
🤫 Sponsored Silence for 7 Hours & 9 Minutes
A tough one for chatterboxes, but a fun classroom or group challenge!
🚴 Indoor or Outdoor Cycle – 7.9km or 79km
Adapt to suit your family—handcycle, wheelchair push, or bike.
🧩 Find 79 Facts About Muscles
Turn research into a project with your kids or school.
📚 Non-Uniform Day with a Twist
Raise £1 each and add “Challenge 79” activities to the school day.
🕺 7.9 or 79 Minute Dance-Off
Move however you like—on your feet, in a chair, or in your heart!
🌳 Host a Community Picnic – Sat 7 Sept
Celebrate together with friends, family, and food.
However you take part, you’re making a difference.
Every challenge, every post, every pound raised helps us continue our mission to support families and drive progress in research, treatment and care.
Choose your challenge. Register today. Let’s do this together.
Calling All Schools – Join Challenge 79!
Last year, we launched Challenge 79 to get people across the country involved in World Duchenne Awareness Day on 7th September—and this year, we’re going even BIGGER!
We’d love YOUR school to join in the fun and help raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that affects children and their families across the UK.
Fun Challenge 79 Ideas for Schools
Whether you’re a teacher, a pupil, or part of the school community, there’s a Challenge 79 for everyone! Here are some brilliant ways to get involved:
🎉 Whole School Challenge 79 Day
Each class chooses its own fun activity based on the number 79!
🧁 Bake Sale
Can you bake and sell 79 cakes? Or decorate them with a 79 theme?
📚 Readathon
Read 79 books as a school throughout September—get the whole school reading!
➗ Maths Madness!
Create a fun 79-themed maths challenge—make it a friendly competition between classes!
⚽ Goal-Scoring Challenge
The first class to score 79 goals in a football shootout wins!
🏃 Sports Challenge
Can each class complete 79 star jumps, skips, or stretches?
😂 Joke Book Challenge
Write and collect 79 jokes (or even 790!) and sell your joke book to raise funds.
🎤 Sing-a-thon
Sing 79 songs as a school—parents and carers can sponsor your singing sessions!
Or Create Your Own!
What could YOUR class or school come up with? The sky’s the limit when it comes to raising awareness—and having fun while you do it!
📸 We’d Love to See What You Do!
Once you’ve chosen your challenge, be sure to register your school, and we’ll be in touch to support you with everything you need.
Send us your photos to fundraising@actionduchenne.org or tag us on social media using @ActionDuchenne and #Challenge79.
Supporting Pupils with Duchenne
If your school has a pupil living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, you can download our free Schools Pack to learn how to best support them and their family.
Let’s make World Duchenne Awareness Day 2025 the biggest one yet—with schools across the UK raising their voices and having fun for a fantastic cause!
