Did you know September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month? Childhood cancer is devastating for both the child and their wider family. To cope with the impact of diagnosis and treatment and in the very worst circumstances, bereavement, on both an emotional and practical level families need support. 

When our youngest child was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, the Momentum Children’s Charity stepped in to provide that support and have helped us ever since.

There isn’t enough space to express our gratitude to Momentum. From the small things- the toys and Xboxes in hospital making the long days more bearable, to the more exciting trips when our son is out of hospital- nights in the New Forest and the most  wonderful days down the Thames on Momentum’s river boat, not to mention simple practical help- it has all made such a difference to our family and that is why I am running the London Marathon on 3 October in hopes of raising funds for this wonderful charity.

Just last week, following a long stay in isolation with my wife in Kingston Hospital, Momentum arranged a fantastic surprise to cheer up our son on his return home. Tom Holland and his Mum were at the door! “Hi Alex”, said Tom, “I’ve come to play with you!” I cannot overstate the excitement this visit caused in our family!

In the UK diagnosis of early-stage cancer in England fell by 33% in the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic in 2021.  We know that every day in the UK, 12 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer and around 240 children in the UK, aged 0-14 years, lose their lives to cancer every year.  This delay will have a knock-on effect and so the work that Momentum Children’s Charity does to support diagnosed children and their families is important than ever.

Most of the families Momentum supports are going  through the hardest of times. Currently it supports 240 families whose children are in active treatment and a further 110 bereaved families. You can learn more about Momentum’s work to support diagnosed children and their families by visiting their website: www.momentumcharity.org.

Momentum is a small charity for which every pound donated makes a big difference. I’d therefore be very grateful for any amount of donation. A local trust has generously offered to match the first £5000 of donations, so every £1 you donate will go that extra distance.

Finally, this is my third attempt at the marathon (my previous 2 attempts failed due to injury). I’ve been training hard to ensure I get around. So please sponsor me!!