A father is gearing up for a charity marathon to raise awareness of a condition that almost cost his two-year-old son his life.

Nathan Muskett, from Wicklewood, near Wymondham, is in training to run the Paris Marathon next month to raise money for the Norfolk and Norwich District Diabetes UK Youth Group after his son, Henry, was taken into intensive care last year.

Last February, the two-year-old spent two days in intensive care at the James Paget Hospital fighting for his life after his health severely deteriorated. Whilst in hospital he was diagnosed as having Type 1 diabetes - a condition which few people are aware can affect children so young.

Mr Muskett, 31, who works for Birketts LLP in Norwich, will be running the Paris Marathon on April 15 with three friends, Paul Lewis, Edward Maule, and David Macaulay, and has so far raised more than �2,600 for the local diabetes support group.

The solicitor has persevered with an intense training regime, clocking-up in excess of 72km per week on the roads, and has already lost four and half stone to take on his first marathon.

He said: 'When Henry fell ill it was terrifying. The early-onset of Type 1 diabetes can resemble certain viruses, especially in young children who are unable to explain how they are feeling.'

'We have to be Henry's pancreas for him, especially while he is so young. But he is a true inspiration for every child suffering with diabetes. He always has a smile on his face, never crying or complaining. He tries to live life like all other two-year-olds. He is the bravest person I know.'

Henry is now insulin dependent for the rest of his life and has to have over 15 finger pricks each day to test his blood sugar levels. Until recently Nathan, and Henry's mum Victoria, had to inject him with insulin up to six times a day, but he has now been fitted with an insulin pump, which delivers the insulin through a canula.

The money raised will help the Norfolk and Norwich District Diabetes UK youth group to support families of children with the same condition and raise awareness to prevent other parents going through the same trauma.

Mr Muskett added: 'Awareness about diabetes in young children in is low. But all it takes to diagnose it is a simple urine test. The marathon is starting point for us. Our ultimate goal is, to work with others like us, to make the symptoms and means of diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes as commonly recognised as the 'glass on the arm test' for meningitis.

To sponsor his marathon efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/NathanMuskett