While his team-mates are taking a break, North Melbourne's Ben Jacobs is still working hard this September, pledging his support for a good cause.

Honouring the life of a family friend, Jacobs is participating in Connor’s Run, a fundraiser for the RCD (Robert Connor Dawes) Fund.

“Connor was a good mate of my brother’s who was having a tough time for a while and he passed away this year,” Jacobs told NMFC.com.au.

A tumour found in Connor's brain resulted in the then 17-year-old being diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma. Despite major surgery, he was determined to fight on and spent hours each day on his physical and mental rehabilitation.

After a 16 month battle, he passed away in April of 2013, but his legacy will live on.

“It’s (the run) a celebration of Connor's life, as well as raising awareness of brain matters. It’s organised by the Brighton community and it should be a really good day. Hopefully people can get involved in it and get behind it.”

Participants can choose between two courses from Sandringham to the Yarra Boatsheds, retracing Connor's from when he trained to make the Brighton Grammar 1st VIII rowing team.   

Jacobs will tackle the 9.6 kilometre course, and is encouraging donations to the RCD fund; supporting brain matters in areas of research, care and development.

Click here for more information or to donate