Liam Layt: Townsville boy fighting Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)

A professional punter – and one of his racehorses – is backing a campaign to raise money for a Townsville boy battling a devastating terminal illness.

Carolina and Adrian Layt, with children Liam, turning seven on Thursday, Charlie, five, and Rocko, 11, enjoying a day at the beach. Picture: Supplied

A professional punter – and one of his racehorses – is backing a campaign to raise money for a Townsville boy battling a devastating terminal illness.

Matt Reguson of the Mr Racing team said he knew he had to help as soon as he heard about the plight of six-year-old Liam Layt who is fighting Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a muscle-wasting disease for which there is currently no cure.

“Liam is up against the battle of his life and being a father myself, it was one of the main reasons we got involved.”

Mr Reguson, who makes a living helping clients invest in racehorses as well as offering tipping advice, said he was introduced to Liam’s father Adrian, who is a jockey, by a mutual friend.

He said he was compelled to help, including by launching a GoFundMe page.

“When I first spoke to Adrian, I got the sense that he was too proud to ask for that support, to ask for that help.”

Townsville boy Liam Layt is fighting Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a muscle-wasting disease for which there is currently no cure. Picture: Supplied

Brave Liam Layt loves playing rugby league for his beloved North Thuringowa Devils U7s. Picture: Supplied

He said Mr Racing’s “community of members” and other members of the facing family had banded together, with 5 per cent of all winnings accrued by Slippin’ Jimmy donated to Liam’s cause.

Mr Reguson said the Sunshine Coast-based horse, one of 17 he was invested in, had so far contributed about $1000 to the campaign as it sought to qualify for the Magic Million Country Cup on the Gold Coast in January, 2025.

The race had a total prize pool of $500,000, including about $260,000 for first.

He said there were plans to get Liam down to the Gold Coast, including for the Magic Millions Barrier Draw on the Surfers Paradise Foreshore.

“Obviously with $260,000 for the winner, hopefully we can win the face and chip in quite a large amount for the family.”

Brave Liam Layt loves playing rugby league for his beloved North Thuringowa Devils U7s. Picture: Supplied

Mr Layt said he was left speechless by fund-raising campaign for his son that had so far raised more than $12,000 toward an ambitious goal of $1000.

The married father of three boys said the aggressive DMD disease that targeted healthy muscle tissue, starting with the body and then the heart.

He said victims typically succumbed in their teens or early 20s but there was always the possibility of a major new breakthrough.

“He knows he’s got a condition and he’s pretty much got an understanding of it but I don’t think he understands the gravity of it.”

Townsville boy Liam Layt, in yellow, is fighting Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a muscle-wasting disease for which there is currently no cure. Picture: Supplied

Mr Layt said that in addition to racehorses, Liam was super smart and loved to play rugby league for his beloved North Thuringowa Devils U7s.

He said Liam, who is turning seven on Thursday, would have to give away the game once they started playing tackle toward the end of the season.

“It would probably just speed up the process.”

Mr Layt said all the money raised would go toward helping Liam adapt, particularly in the coming years.

He said the family was looking to provide adaptations to a planned family home as well as toward the potential purchase of a van modified to house a wheelchair.

Mr Layt said the family would be following as Slippin’ Jimmy raced this Sunday.

Originally published as Liam Layt: Townsville boy fighting Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)