A FATHER of a boy born with a rare condition is urging to snap up charity places on this year’s SimplyHealth Great North Run.

Nine-year-old Nate Jeffares has ATR-X Syndrome, a rare condition that has left him immobile, non-verbal and susceptible to abdominal pain and seizures.

Father Michael Jeffares is appealing for runners to join him in this year’s Great North Run, to raise vital funds for the charity that gave his son the holiday of a lifetime.

Nate’s condition means that he has to spend much of his time in hospital, or visiting doctors, and his parents and sister spend little time together as a family.

This prompted Mr Jeffares to apply for a place on Caudwell Children’s annual Destination Dreams holiday to Disney World, in Florida.

Caudwell Children, a national charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families, created Destination Dreams in 2007 to give 25 children with life limiting conditions the opportunity to experience a once-in-a-lifetime holiday.

The family were delighted to be selected for the holiday in 2015, and on returning to the UK they pledged to raise money to support the holiday in the future.

Mr Jeffarers said: “It’s time to pay back our debt of gratitude to Caudwell Children for treating us to a magical experience that left us with happy memories that will last a lifetime.

“Without the charity’s support we would never have had the opportunity to have that precious time together.

“That’s why I’m calling on as many people as possible to join me in this year’s SimplyHealth Great North Run.”

The ballot is now open for this year’s event, which takes place on Sunday September 9 and it will close at midday on Monday February 5.

Mr Jeffares said: “I’m urging runners who are successful in the public ballot to run and raise funds for this fantastic cause.

“But if you’re not successful when the ballot closes, or you want a place now, you can snap up one of Caudwell Children’s charity places for just £30 with a £300 fundraising target.To register for a charity place visit www.caudwellchildren.com/fundraising-event/great-north-run or support Michael through his Just Giving page.: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michael-jeffares2.