A DETERMINED mother is running her first long-distance race alongside 16 of her friends to raise money in memory of her son.

Bethan Evans, who lives in Nefyn, will take on the Great Manchester 10K Run this May, remembering the tragic death of her son Efan after he was born with a rare lung disease called Surfactant deficiency protein-C.

In Efan’s honour, a ‘pram race’ will also be held this afternoon at 2pm at Cwrw Llyn Brewery and prizes will be given to the first team to get to Y Bryncynan.

It is £10 per team and there will also be prizes for best decorated pram/truck/trolley.

Efan’s condition meant his lungs never fully developed, causing him serious respiratory issues.

The money will be put towards accommodation facilities for other families faced with similar testing circumstances.

Efan, who would have celebrated his sixth birthday last weekend, was born in 2011 and, due to the scarcity of his condition, it took several weeks to diagnose him.

The diagnosis came after Efan had an open lung biopsy and six weeks in and out of paediatric intensive care at Manchester Children’s hospital.

During this period Bethan and her partner Bleddyn shared small rooms and bathroom facilities with other parents of children facing similar ailments.

Although grateful for the accommodation provided, Bethan admits that the basic facilities and close proximity to other distraught parents could be “quite daunting and uncomfortable” during a very distressing time.

Efan was then discharged and, although he needed oxygen 24/7, his health remained stable for a year with occasional hospital visits.

Twelve months after his diagnosis it was clear that Efan’s lungs were beginning to fail and he was taken to intensive care once again.

For more information on Bethan’s Great Manchester Run, or to donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Bethan-Evans21