Alex takes on the London Landmarks Half Marathon in wheelchair after arthritis diagnosis at age three

Noticing the first arthritis symptoms.

Alex was diagnosed with arthritis around his third birthday when he was just two years old. For over a year, he experienced unexplained night-time fevers and rashes that vanished by morning, leaving doctors struggling to find answers.

His condition worsened until he could no longer pull himself up or hold his head up. After researching arthritis in young children, Alex’s Mum, Lynda, pushed for a rheumatology referral.

Instead of enjoying the early infant years with Alex, Lynda was in and out of hospitals waiting for answers, while Alex’s condition worsened.

“I remember we had to wait a few months for the appointment but in that time, Alex was admitted to hospital because of the muscle wastage of not being able to stand up or walk alone. He couldn’t eat or drink because his neck was that bad, his head was sort of crunched down leaving him in an awful lot of pain. I remember it took an awful long time to get everything stable” Lynda recalls.

Alex's journey

Alex was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a condition that affects an estimated 10,000 children under 16 years old in the UK alone.

Fifteen years on from his diagnosis, Alex was prescribed a bi-weekly biologic injection, a treatment developed through leading arthritis charity Arthritis UK’s groundbreaking research.

“When I was put on my new medication, I ended up looking into what the work Arthritis UK was doing and I was really inspired by the difference they were making. Soon after my mum sent me an article about research that was being done by Birmingham Children's Hospital and the charity. I remember most of the doctors mentioned were ones that I had been seeing, and it really motivated me to want to give back to the charity that was tirelessly working to make a difference to people like me,” said Alex.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is inflammation (swelling) of one or more of your joints. It first occurs before your 16th birthday.

There are different types of JIA and symptoms vary between the different types. Knowing which type you have helps assess the likelihood you'll grow out of JIA.

JIA may be difficult to control in some people, but most cases will be well controlled with treatment most of the time. If you have arthritis as part of another condition, it's often managed in a very similar way to JIA.

In October 2025, Alex underwent his biggest surgery yet, an ankle fusion operation. Despite this and all the challenges arthritis has thrown his was Alex will be taking part in the race through London on April 12 in his wheelchair alongside his Mum, Lynda.

After watching Alex grow up with the facing several challenges living with JIA, Lynda is looking forward to race day with Alex. She explains “I am incredibly proud of him everyday because he just takes it in his stride. Seeing Alex’s determination wanting to give back and courage to show other younger children that have just been diagnosed that it doesn’t stop is extremely admirable”.

Alex has raised £2,260 though his fundraising efforts for Arthritis UK, supported his friends, family and local community in Long Lawford, Rugby.

Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK, said:

“There are currently over 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis - that’s one in six living with the pain, fatigue and disability it can cause.

London Landmarks Half Marathon is an exciting event and every year I am in awe of the dedication and commitment from the hours of training and fundraising efforts form everyone involved.

We know the impact of arthritis can be huge, affecting the ability to work, care for family, move free from pain and live independently.

Both Alex and Lynda’s determination through the challenges they have faced is incredibly inspirational.

I am incredibly grateful to them both for their support for Arthritis UK and I wish you the very best of luck on the day!”