In October 2023, my best friend's daughter, Amelie, was diagnosed with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). It was an incredibly difficult time - not just for Amelie, but for Gemma, Darren, and big brother Lewis too. Their lives changed overnight, and they have been on such a journey.

Amelie is a true inspiration in how she faces each day with courage and resilience. Her strength is a reflection of the incredible support and love she receives (especially from her amazing mum, Gemma!).

We are running this half marathon together for Amelie and to help raise awareness of JIA. Every mile we run is a step toward more research, better treatments, and brighter futures. So when our legs get tired, we’ll remember Amelie’s strength and that's more than enough to drive us forwards.

This is their story:

"It was a scary and unknown time, Amelie spent three long weeks in hospital between the NNUH and Addenbrooks. Amelie had daily blood tests, MRI scans, x-rays and ultrasounds in attempts to work out what was going on. Her symptoms were a swollen and painful ankle that was operated on to clean out what was thought to be an infection, a temperature that would present its self between 1am and 3am and blood markers that continued to climb although having IV antibiotics. Finally they diagnosed JIA and we were transferred to Cambridge for treatment.

Amelie has been amazing throughout the last two years taking each day, each check up and each next step in her stride. All this has been possible with not only the amazing support from family and friends but the whole team that support her treatment. Part of that team is JAR Juvenile Arthritis Research their website has helped us as parents to navigate JIA and help Amelie by feeling less like she is not the only child going through this. A big thing they do to help children to feel less alone is send out "little boxes of hope". These little ray of sunshines have stickers, a puppet, story book and information which made Amelie feel part of a JIA family, seeing photos of children with their boxes or telling their own stories. This is why Amelie chose JAR as our charity to raise both awareness and funds so they can continue to help other children just like her.

If Amelie and other JIA warriors can live with often days and nights of pain then Lorna and I can push through the pain of a half marathon for a few hours. Please help others like Amelie and continue funding research by giving what you can."

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