On the run to raise money for cancer charity
MORE than 6,500 runners and their families helped raise almost £210,000 for Children’s Cancer North by taking part in the 39th Children’s Cancer Run.
The popular event, which is sponsored by Greggs, saw supporters young and old, some in wheelchairs and pushchairs, put on their running shoes to take part in the UK’s biggest charity fun run on Sunday at Gosforth Park choosing from one, three or five-mile routes. It again drew huge crowds keen to join the fight against childhood cancer.
One of those was the Dodds family from Whickham, whose son Lewis - aged three - is currently receiving treatment for leukaemia.
Ashleigh Dodds, mum to Lewis, said: “Our son was diagnosed with leukaemia on New Year’s Eve and throughout his treatment, we’ve received a huge amount of support from Children’s Cancer North.
“I’m running with Lewis’ older brother today to raise awareness of the amazing work of Children’s Cancer North, but also to raise money so they can continue to provide help and support to families, and continue to make life better for children with cancer.
“So far we’ve raised almost £5,000 but we will keep going with our fundraising. I feel like I need to give so much back to the staff in the hospital and everyone that works for Children’s Cancer North because they’ve all been absolutely unbelievable.”
A team of nurses from the Paediatric Oncology Day Unit at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle were also among those taking part in honour of their brave young patients. Lisa Ternent, Vicky Ainsley, Nicole Laws, Gemma Wilson, Laura Keen, Gemma Lamb and Georgina Mellor all help provide outpatient and daycare facilities for children and young people who have been diagnosed with cancer.
The Children’s Cancer Run started out with very humble beginnings at Tynemouth’s Kings School. It is now the charity’s main fundraising event annually - raising over £7.5m for children’s cancer research as part of the legacy charity NECCR.