A mum is running a marathon to raise money to battle a rare condition which affects her 15-year-old son.

Caroline Judge is taking on the 26-miler in Brighton in April to raise money for a charity which supports children suffering from arthritis.

She is hoping to raise at least £250 for Versue Arthritis.

Her son Samuel suffers with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis - a condition which affects only one in 1,000 children in the UK.

He was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of two and spent months with high temperatures, weight loss and lethargy before doctors could confirm what his condition was.

Caroline, of Water Mill Way, South Darenth, said: "You may think of arthritis as something old people get, but it’s simply not the case.

"We spent months not knowing what was wrong with him, in and out of GP surgeries and hospitals.

"Nothing was working and it was so painful to watch.”

Samuel, who goes to the Leigh Academy, Dartford, was forced to take a year off school after he underwent a stem cell transplant in 2008.

He went into remission, but relapsed 18 months later.

In a last ditch attempt to help Samuel get better, he was prescribed a new medication, which worked.

He now has to have the drug supplied every seven weeks at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Accountant Caroline, 46, added: "We feel so lucky Samuel is able to live a relatively normal life.

"He has no symptoms at all and is doing very well.

"I wanted to run this marathon, not just because I want to raise funds for such a great charity, but also to raise awareness of the condition.

"I hope Samuel’s story will help other families suffering with the condition.”

n To find out more about juvenile arthritis or to sponsor Caroline, visit her fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/caroline-judge2019.