A YOUTH worker has signed up for the Great North Run after receiving a “devastating” diagnosis for his son.

Middlesbrough dad Keith Robson, 34, and his wife Michelle were shocked when their son Henry was diagnosed with Becker muscular dystrophy, and are still coming to terms with the news.

Trying to stay positive, Mr Robson, from Norton, signed up to raise money for MDUK and awareness about the condition – which he had not heard of before the diagnosis.

He said: “The GNR is an iconic race and we live just 35 miles away from Newcastle, so of all the events available to take part in, this one was the most logical. I’m hoping the event will go ahead in September as planned and, if so, I feel it will be a carnival atmosphere, given the travails of the Covid crisis.”

He added: “Even our GP had to look up the specifics. Therefore, it is vitally important that people know there are boys and men like Henry out there.”

He is running with friends Lee Curtis-Marshall, Neil Sharpe and colleague Paul Costello.

Kiera Santry, challenge events officer at MDUK said: “We are incredibly grateful to Keith for supporting us with his first GNR. It is so impressive to see a family launch themselves into positive activities to raise awareness and funds for muscular dystrophy.

“We will be cheering him on at an event which as he says, will hopefully have an incredible post-Covid atmosphere.”