Jonathan Haran is taking part in the Tough Man race in aid of the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

The charity has supported the Haran family ever since two-year-old Luke was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a rare type of liver disease affecting only 50 kids in the UK a year.

Biliary Atresia occurs when the bile duct between the liver and colon is blocked and toxins build up.

Mr Haran, 30, of Leeds Road, Newton Hill, said: “Luke wasn’t diagnosed until he was five weeks old. The doctors kept telling us he was fine, but due to the persistence of my wife, Joanna, they discovered the problem at St James’ Hospital.

“He had an operation to remove the blockage and his liver is now directly connected to his colon. This could be a problem as it leaves him prone to infection, so he takes medication.

“I wanted to raise money for CLDF to fund its research. Twenty years ago, Luke would have died as the operation didn’t exist. It is extremely important that research continues.”

The Tough Man race, which will take place in January 2010, involves an eight mile run through a specially-created assault course in Staffordshire.

Most competitors take on the gruelling course in wetsuits or other sensible clothing, but Jonathan will be competing wearing only Borat-style swimwear.

He said: “A friend and I saw the challenge on television and knowing I don’t like running and the cold he challenged me to do it in a Mankini.”

Mr Haran has already started training at Bannatyne’s Health Club in Wakefield. To sponsor him, visit www.justgiving.com/jonathanharan