Boy, 6, running 10km for military children charity

A mother and her six-year-old son are taking part in a 10km (6.2 miles) race in Wiltshire for a military children's charity they say became their "beacon" during difficult times.

Teddy and his mum Rachel will take part in the Tidworth 10k hosted by Little Troopers - a charity supporting children with parents in the military.

The family has been supported by the charity for years, but Rachel said they were particularly helpful when Teddy suffered a severe reaction to mosquito bites after they relocated to Cyprus.

Rachel said the charity had helped her son "believe in himself" since her partner joined the Royal Air Force as an engineer.

Rachel said: "They understand that for military kids it can be difficult.

"They organise a lot of overnight stays and get the message out there to parents that there is a little bit of support for them when the other parent is away.

"They're like a beacon for military children, they move so often, it's so hard for them to make friends and set down roots.

"They've helped Teddy believe in himself. It's given him a lot of confidence."

Last year, when the family moved to Cyprus, Teddy got bitten by lots of mosquitos and had to be taken to hospital after his body had a bad reaction to an infection.

Doctors diagnosed him with Henoch-Schonlein purpura, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the small blood vessels of the skin, joints, bowels and kidneys.

Rachel said he was very brave throughout the ordeal which has left him with a long-term illness.

"Little Troopers recognised that," she said.

"They made him Little Trooper of the Month in October."

Teddy said he was looking forward to raising money for the charity in the run.

"I have done it without my Mum a few times," he said.

"In my school I do some fun runs as well. I think it will be easy."

Charity founder Louise Fetigan said: "Tidworth and the surrounding areas in Salisbury and Andover have a thriving military community, so we're hoping lots of people will come along to show their support."

The race and family fun run is on Sunday at Tidworth Oval.

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