Jack Saunders will run 50km to raise money for sick child Finn Taylor

An 18-month-old boy’s fight to overcome a rare genetic condition has inspired a Brisbane athlete to take on a 50km, six-hour run to raise funds for the youngster.

Jack Saunders will run 50km to raise money for Finn Taylor.

A Brisbane man is set to run 50km, the distance of an ultra-marathon, to help raise money for a sick child.

Jack Saunders is hoping to raise money to help Finn Taylor, an 18-month-old boy who has a severe form of a rare genetic degenerative condition called Mucopolysaccharidosis IV A.

Finn is currently in hospital receiving treatment for his condition, which should give him a better quality of life.

“The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster” Finn’s mother Ebony Taylor said.

“Some days Finn is doing really well, but as of recently he is experiencing more pain and discomfort from the side effects of chemotherapy, including ulcers from mouth to stomach.”

Finn’s condition, which deteriorates and affects the development of his skeleton, is progressive and has no cure.

“This was all expected so we are not discouraged by it,” Mrs Taylor said

“However it has meant there has been little sleep for everyone and that is probably posing to be the most difficult element currently.”

Finn Taylor has Mucopolysaccharidosis IV A. Picture: Ebony Taylor

“When I heard about Finn, I wanted to do something to help him and his family,” Mr Saunders said as he prepared for his run next month.

“My sister, Chloe Saunders, passed away from a brain tumour in 2011 and we spent a heap of time in the hospital during surgery.

“So I understand and have seen what life is like when you’re caring for somebody that is sick in hospital.

Over the coming 12 months, Finn’s immune system will be compromised and he will be at a higher risk for infection.

His latest treatment means an intense round of chemotherapy to suppress his immune system in preparation to receive a stem cell transplant.

“Ebony and her beautiful family helped contribute to fundraisers for (my sister) Chloe,” Mr Saunders said.

“I wanted to pay it back and do something for them.

“Finn is a gorgeous, gentle-natured, affectionate, curious and adventurous little boy.”

Finn Taylor with his parents Ebony and Leroy.

Mr Saunders said money raised would help contribute to household bills, food, fuel travelling back and forth to hospital and hospital parking fees.

Additionally, it would help to alleviate financial stress for Finn’s parents.

Mrs Taylor is unable to return to work.

“My husband had to return to work last week so it means I am here all day and all night, and can only rest on the weekends,” Mrs Taylor said.

“I keep reminding myself it’s only a season and we’ll get through it.”

Finn has spent about three weeks in hospital and will be there for a further three to five weeks.

Mr Saunders’ run, where he plans to do 75 laps of a 670m running track around a cruise ship, is scheduled for January 11.

“Being away from Australia I was thinking of what it is I could do,” Mr Saunders said, who currently works on the cruise ship Symphony of the Sea in the Caribbean.

Jack Saunders will run 50km to raise money for Finn Taylor

“When Jack offered to do a fundraiser with his run, we were shocked and overwhelmed to say the least,” Mrs Taylor said.

“We wrestled with feelings of being gifted a potentially large amount of money and feeling as though we didn’t deserve it.

“But Jack’s generosity was so kind, we settled on the thought that no matter how much money is raised, it’s (also) raising awareness for conditions like Finn’s.”