A teenager who recovered from a rare disorder of the immune system is running the Bath Half Marathon to raise funds to help other sufferers.

Dan Court, 19, from Lower Bristol Road, was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) when he was 15.

He is running the Bath Half or the first time to raise money for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Unit, at the University College London Hospital, where he was treated.

Dan said: “I was ill and went to the doctors, who said it was glandular fever.

“This then developed into hemophagocytic  lymphohistiocytosis.”

This is a rare disorder of the immune system that mainly affects young babies and children.

Dan spent six months at the UCLH, where he had chemotherapy.

Due to a lack of space he was put on an adult ward, with two young boys.

Both were being treated for leukaemia, and sadly after Dan recovered and left, they died.

He has decided to run the marathon in their memory, and to raise money to help others.

Dan said: “After six months I was discharged, and am now feeling fine.

“Two guys that I was with on the ward were not so lucky, and died when I left.

“It is unfair that they should have both died so young when I walked away.

“I want to run in memory of them, and also to give something back to the hospital.

“The staff were great, and I want to help other people with the disease.”

So far he raised £919, and is nearly at his target of £1,000.

To support Dan visit www.justgiving.com/daniel-court.

Meanwhile, the daughter of Formula One racing legend Eddie Jordan will be running the Bath Half to raise money for CLIC Sargent.

Zoe Jordan was inspired to sign up to support the charity and the work it does in supporting children with cancer.

She said: “I have basically grown up with CLIC Sargent, so I have seen first hand all the time, effort and generous donations my family and friends have given and their amazing achievements.

“Its a fabulous charity and so many lives have been touched that I wanted to do my bit.”

She will join 120 participants who are running the Bath Half for CLIC Sargent.

Last year the charity raised £25,000 from this event, and this year the charity hopes to reach a target of £30,000.

CLIC Sargent events coordinator Kayley Waller said: “We are really grateful to Zoe for the support that she is showing the charity by running the Bath Half.

“We are also very grateful to all the other CLIC Sargent runners who will be taking part in the event.

“Their support will really help young cancer sufferers and their families.”

For more information visit www.clicsargent.org.uk.