A CWMBRAN man is training for the Bath Half Marathon after being inspired to raise funds for two Pontypool brothers.

Jamie Franklin, 27, from Llantarnam, is determined to finish the Bath run to raise money for a family friend’s children, Ethan, eight, and Josh, six.

The pair, who live in Griffithstown, both have type 1 diabetes which is managed through an insulin pump.

Ethan also has Duchenne muscular dystrophy that results in muscle degeneration.

Their father, John Kinge, said that the condition makes Ethan weak, so he can’t run or jump and struggles to climb stairs.

He said: “The condition can be managed and there are aids available to help him and we have had a bedroom created downstairs so that he doesn’t have to climb stairs.

“We don’t know how long we have him for, but the life expectancy for children with the condition is improving all the time and it’s now mid 20s.”

Money raised by Mr Franklin, who met the family at Cwmbran’s Victory Church two and half years ago, will go towards a family holiday.

Mr Kinge added: “The boys have been on a bumpy ride so we want to give them something memorable.

“Either a holiday abroad or just a day trip depending on how much money we can save.

“We never asked Jamie to do it as we don’t think we are worthy of such generosity – so it’s a nice surprise.”

Mr Franklin, a support worker, describes himself as quite fit, having been a keen footballer up until eight years ago.

Over the past four months he has been training hard by running every other evening.

He is very confident that he will complete the 13.1-mile run on March 2.

He said: “There’s no doubt in my mind that I will finish it.

“I’m hoping to raise as much as possible for the boys but my goal is £200.”

He added that it is not his last charity race and is willing to run for other people who need funds for local causes.

He has asked for them to contact him to run on their behalf.

To sponsor him, send him an email at jamiefranklin11@hotmail.co.uk or message him on Twitter, @fran3ky