TORFAEN MP Nick Thomas-Symonds MP will take part in a charity fun run which coincides with his baby son’s first birthday.

The Mic Morris 10km run, which is in its eighth year, will take place on September 17 and will see runners start from Cwmavon Road in Blaenavon before finishing in Pontypool Park.

The Labour politician will be running in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales, where his son, William, has had a number of operations since being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease last November.

Mr Thomas-Symonds said that the hospital had provided “excellent care” ever since and is hoping that taking part in the event will help raise awareness of their services.

He said: “In addition to that patient care, Noah’s Ark also supports the family of the children they treat in any way they can.

“I am hoping that by running in this event I can not only raise money for Noah’s Ark, but also raise awareness of the wonderful work they do.

“By supporting the Noah’s Ark Charity you’ll be making a difference to over 73,000 young patients who receive specialist care at Wales’ only children’s hospital each year.”

The charity raises funds for state-of the-art equipment and pioneering new technology, helping to ensure that children in Wales are diagnosed and treated as quickly and effectively as possible.

Noah’s Ark Charity recently launched the Tiny Lives Appeal and have pledged to raise £1million throughout 2017 and 2018 in support of the neonatal unit at University Hospital of Wales, in order to fund specialist and life-saving equipment.

Suzanne Mainwaring, director of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Like Nick, so many of our supporters are parents with first-hand experience of the children’s hospital and therefore know only too well what a vitally important place it is.

“Close to 25,000 children a year are referred to the hospital from the area covered by the Aneurin Bevan Health Board. They are treated for an array of conditions, from childhood cancer to injuries caused by accidents.

“As a charity we help to support each and every one of them in some capacity, whether by funding vital equipment, support services or facilities for families.

She added: “But we can only continue to do this thanks to the help of people like Nick.

“We’d like to wish him all the very best for his run this September.”