AN INNERLEITHEN man is lacing up to tackle a 34-mile cross country ultra-marathon to raise money for a cause close to his heart.

Last year Jason Dobson’s wife, April, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease – a lifelong condition in which parts of the digestive system become inflamed.

Now the 24-year-old wants to rack-up funds to aid King’s College London’s research into the MAP vaccine – which is a potential cure.

The former St Ronan’s pupil, who now lives in Oban, will take on the Three Lochs Way, over Loch Lomond, Loch Long and Gareloch.

And he has set up a JustGiving page in a bid to reach his £750 target, with £430 already in the bank.

Jason’s proud dad Graeme told us: “Jason met April when he was studying marine science at university up near Oban, and they got married last year.

“April was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease last year, so he is raising money to fund the MAP vaccine as it is a subject that is really close to his heart. There seems to have been a good response from the public too which is great.

“The MAP vaccine is being trialled and it has been quite successful. Now he wants to keep on working to fund further trials and development.”

Every 30 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis.

More than 300,000 people suffer from the condition in Britain – with one in four newly diagnosed patients being aged under 16.

And after 20 years of development, the MAP vaccine has recently passed its first trial and it is hoped it will eventually be available to all Crohn’s sufferers in the future.

Graeme added: “Jason has run for many different charities in the past, but obviously this one is really important to him.

“He has been working and training very hard for the run and he did suffer a bit of a set back with a foot injury, but luckily he’s back running on the roads now.”

Jason will take on the challenge on the 55km challenge on Saturday, April 7.

To donate, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jason-dobson-men9150or visit: http://www.purechallenge.co.uk to find out more about the route.