Thanks for visiting my JustGiving page.

Last year, my then 6 year old son, Wilf, was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ("JIA"), a complex auto-immune condition.

Essentially, his condition means that his immune system thinks that his own joints are foreign objects and attacks them, causing swelling, pain and considerable immobility, which is devastating to anybody, but particularly to an active little boy who loves football and outdoor activities.

After a normal healthy start in life, very suddenly, Wilf couldn't walk downstairs, get up off the floor,  or even hold a pen properly. Luckily he has responded well to very aggressive treatment (albeit with some side effects), but life has changed for him and for us; weekly injections, numerous hospital trips, blood and eye tests, physio, pain (and lots of worry) are the new normal.

A charity known as the CCAA (Children's Chronic Arthritis Association) has provided support for Wilf and our family since his diagnosis, and continues to do so.

The CCAA is an amazing, but tiny, registered charity staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers. For over 25 years, the CCAA has been organising weekends of fun activities for kids with JIA and their siblings, and support sessions for parents, lead by leading health professionals.

Not only do the weekends they run provide an opportunity to learn more about the condition, they are also a platform enabling both parents and children to discuss what they are going through. It's amazing to see how perceptions can change for the better, simply by parents and children with the same worries and concerns, being able to talk to each other in a positive and relaxed environment. Children and parents leave the weekend with the confidence to know that, despite JIA, anything is possible.

Having received so much support from the JIA, I am keen to give something back. Over the second May bank holiday weekend, I will be walking the 84 miles of the Hadrian's Wall path, just South of the Scottish border, from Bowness on Solway in the west, to Wallsend, North Tyneside in the east. Fit walkers are recommended to allow 6 or 7 days to tackle the whole path, but I am in a hurry and have to get back to work, so I am going to do it in 4 days.

Please sponsor me for as much or as little as you can afford, for this amazing cause.

Thank you to everyone who sponsors me, and to the CCAA.

Martin.