Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror - Arsenal FC Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere has taken up an ambassadorial role with Muscular Dystrophy UK.

The England midfielder has pledged to help fight the muscle-wasting disease, meeting four young people affected by the condition this week.

He played football and had a picnic with the youngsters and their families at an event in Hertforshire.

Wilshere first came into contact with the charity earlier this year, when he met 10-year-old Archie Hill, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Archie's family has been campaigning for a new drug called Translarna, and the pioneering treatment could help children suffering from the condition to walk for longer.

(Image: Reuters / Eddie Keogh)

Wilshere said: “As a parent myself, I think about my own children and how it would feel to receive such life-changing news.Meeting Archie, Harry, Freya, and Auzair has been great - they are really inspiring young people.

"I can see the challenges that come with living with muscle-wasting conditions, and want to do all I can as ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy UK, to raise awareness of the charity’s work.

"I hope that one day in the future we are able to say there is a cure for children and adults living with these conditions.”

In pictures: Arsenal 4-1 West Brom

Robert Meadowcroft, Chief Executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “We are delighted and honoured to have Jack on board. He has shown real compassion to the families he has met, and we have seen how youngsters quickly develop a connection with him.

"Although muscle-wasting conditions are rare and poorly understood, they have a profound impact on the lives of people who live with them.

"With Jack’s help, we will raise much greater awareness of why funds for research to develop treatments are so vital, as well as fast access to emerging treatments like Translarna.”