A campaigner for children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is to run the Dublin City 2016 Marathon in aid of a parent-run network for those affected by the condition.

Darren Brooks, whose six-year-old has JIA, told Metro Éireann that running the marathon “is massive in its undertaking.

“I have never done anything like this so it’s a big deal to me, also I am raising money for an Irish-based homegrown charity called iCan”.

Brooks said the organisation is a parent-run network providing support, information and advocating for best care for the more than 1,000 young people aged 16 and under affected by JIA in Ireland.

“It endeavours to ensure that all Irish children receive the minimum standard of medical care recommended for children with juvenile arthritis as set out by the World Health Organisation,” he added.

The group is completely volunteer-run, and 100 per cent funds raised would  “go towards making things better for kids with arthritis in Ireland.”

Brooks, who described himself as a “working dad”, said he plans to start serious training for the marathon on 1 February. 

“I am in training at the moment but this is the start of my marathon plan. This will take me from Ireland to Australia in June/July and back again for more intensive training.”

Brooks’ immediate fundraising target is €1,000 – but he said any and all donations in aid of iCan would go a long way to improve the lives of children who live with arthritis in Ireland – who iCan says have the second worst rate of care in Europe.

Donations can be made via idonate.ie/theworkingdad – and for more details visit the website icanireland.ie