Brave teen sounds the horn for runners
A BRAVE teen who is battling a rare form of leukaemia took on the role of honorary race starter at the Junior Great Manchester Run.
Organisers chose Charlotte Jennings, 13, from Gatley to set off the girls in the junior event because of her tireless fundraising for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, (RMCH) even while undergoing treatment herself.
Despite not being well enough to compete in the race Charlotte took to the podium with the Lord Mayor of Manchester and cross country champion Gemma Steel.
And the following day she was at the finishing line of the adults event where she spoke to BBC presenter - and triple jump world record holder - Jonathan Edwards about her fundraising challenge.
Charlotte, who recently went without presents for her 13th birthday to raise money for the hospital, said: “I had the best weekend setting off the Junior run and then chatting to Jonathan about my fundraising.
“I was so proud to see so many green RMCH Charity T-shirts crossing the finish line when I was there.
“Last Friday I filmed with the BBC on Friday to show them the place I spent over 7 months of my life.
“I hope by filming the footage people can see what life on the regional cancer ward for children is like.
“I’m raising money to help make the ward, and especially the playroom, more child-friendly and less clinical looking.”
Among the 2000 runners who took part to raise money for the children’s cancer unit at RMCH was ward manager Helen Jackson.