A ST Arvans mum is running to give something back to a children’s hospice.

Cat Morris is taking part in the Rainbow Run, held in Tredegar in July, to raise funds for Ty Hafan. The charity, which helps young people affected by long-term illnesses, have helped Cat’s son Aaron and now she says she wants to give something back by taking part in the five-kilometre event.

Aaron was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at just six weeks old. The condition is caused by a defective gene for dystrophin and often occurs in people without a known family history of the condition.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy affects one in 3,500 people, normally boys, and symptoms including learning difficulties, intellectual disability and muscle weakness can begin to appear before the age of six.

“Everyone wants to see their child grow up but Aaron won’t experience that; he won’t go to college or university,” Cat says.

People affected with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are often wheelchair-bound around the age of eight to 13, and Aaron has to take steroids daily to keep symptoms under control. Life expectancy of people with duchenne muscular dystrophy is between 18 and 23.

After years of Ty Hafan helping Aaron and his family, mum Cat now wants to give something back to the charity.

“They do a lot of things for children, from days out to giving away tickets; they’re absolutely fantastic,” she says.

“They don’t just think about the children, they think about the families.

“Ty Hafan do such a good job at supporting me and my family, so to be able to give something back will be amazing.”

The Rainbow Run is a Ty Hafan organised event where participants get showered with different colours of powder paint. There are four events across south Wales, which normally take between 30 minutes and one hour to complete.

In addition to raising money, the family are also preparing to move into a custom-built dormer bungalow in Caldicot, organised by Monmouth Housing Association.

“At the moment Aaron’s room is upstairs and the bathroom is downstairs. He can do it at the moment but there will come a time when it is more difficult.”

Aaron’s new room will have an en-suite, and the family’s new home has features including a ceiling hoist and adjustable-height toilet and bath.

“They have thought of everything and have been absolutely amazing.”

Anyone interested in donating to Cat’s appeal, or looking for more information, can visit www.gofundme.com/26kv2yna or call Cat on 07528 179006.