Colin Ellis, 60, and daughter Samantha Hays, who runs The Kitchen Shop in Newborough, are taking part in the Great North Run in October in aid of Unique, a rare chromosome disorder support group.

Mr Ellis said: “We are running the Great North Run because my granddaughter Violet has chromosome deletion, a very rare disorder, and Unique is a very small charity which runs a helpline for parents.”

He added: “I have taken part in the event twice before – once when I was 37 and the other when I was 40. I am 60 now so I’m sure it will be a lot more difficult this time around. I’ve been in training for three to four months and it’s been going well. I’ve even lost weight!”

At least one in every 200 babies in the UK is born with a chromosome disorder, with many born sick or disabled. Rare chromosome disorders occur because of extra, missing or rearranged chromosome material, which means genes don’t function correctly.

l To sponsor the pair, call into Colin Ellis Estate Agents in Aberdeen Walk or The Kitchen Shop in Newborough.