I'm running the Great North Run for the first time ever this year (eek!) and I'm running it to make money for a very special little boy, Teddy.

Teddy is an amazing, brave little boy. Despite the challenges he has to face every day (I'll go into these below) he is always smiling no matter what and is such an inspiration.

Teddy has a number of issues, mainly Cerebral Palsy affecting all 4 limbs but mainly his legs meaning he is in a wheelchair. He is also partially sighted and has uncontrolled Epilepsy meaning he has a lot of seizures. If that isn't enough he has stomach issues so has special dietary requirements as he is allergic to dairy, eggs and soya and is also being tested for Autism.

Despite all of this he is one of the happiest little boys you will ever meet. He is only 5 years old and has already had to go through a lot of tests and procedures on top of the day to day struggles of having these conditions.

Any money raised will go directly to his amazing parents who do an absolutely amazing job of looking after him and making him smile. There are many ways the money can help Teddy. He has been on NHS waiting lists for specialist physio equipment for a very long time and his parents are now needing to purchase the equipment themselves due to waiting so long and being told there is no funding available. Some of the things that will help improve Teddy's day to day life are:

- A special bike that he will be able to ride that costs around £1600

- A special walker to help him get around more easily without constantly being confined to his wheelchair

- A second skin Lycra suit that costs upwards of £800 every 6-12 months

Please, please give anything you can to help keep this amazing little man smiling!

Thanks