Dad's marathon run in thanks to Sheffield Children's Hospital

Jarrad Kitson (46), of North Anston, will join the 40,000 runners descending on the capital this weekend in support of The Children's Hospital Charity.

It is set to be the Yorkshireman’s last marathon after being diagnosed with arthritis in both hips.

Jarrad (pictured) has resolved to run through the pain and is on course to double his initial £500 fundraising target with the help of family, friends and colleagues.

His 15-year-old daughter, Eleanor, was born with microtia, which meant she had an ear missing, and a reconstruction was performed at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The deafness in her ear from birth meant she had to attend appointments every six months at the Hearing and Audiology clinic at Sheffield Children's Hospital. 

As Eleanor grew older, the appointments became less frequent.

However, earlier this year, the family once again required the hospital’s support when Eleanor was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis while studying for her GCSEs.

The condition, which causes recurrent bouts of tiredness, means that Eleanor attends appointments every three months at Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s Ryegate Centre.

Jarrad, who works for Yorkshire Bank, said: “We just assumed she always wanted to sleep because she's a teenager, but now it's been identified we know why she was so tired.

“As soon as I got a running place it felt right to do it for Sheffield Children’s Hospital because we've relied on them so much for her care and we will continue to need them”.

It will be Jarrad's second London Marathon in two years, having completed the course in just over five hours in his maiden run.

“It was a long way, but the day was brilliant,” he said.

“I’m not the fastest runner, but you get caught up in the emotion of it all- everyone cheering you on and all the runners willing you to the finish.

“It will be really special to be involved again on Sunday.”

Cheryl Davidson, community fundraising manager at The Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Thanks to supporters like Jarrad, we are making a huge difference to the lives of children from all over the UK and beyond who come for specialist treatment at our wonderful hospital.

“We’ll be behind him every step of the way on Sunday and continue to wish Eleanor well in her treatment.”