I have managed to get a place in the London marathon which takes place in October later this year, the reason I am taking on this challenge is to raise money for two different charities.

In May 2021, Harry one of my Grandsons, got diagnosed with Leukaemia at 18months old, it’s called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). Harry’s diagnosis was very fast paced, Katie took Harry to the doctors as he was looking pale compared to his twin brother George, Harry was then sent straight to Stoke hospital where within less than 8 hours they received the diagnosis of Leukaemia and immediately had a blood transfusion. The following day Katie and Harry were taken by ambulance to Birmingham children’s hospital, after a couple of days here the full diagnosis of ALL was confirmed. Harry spent 10 days at Birmingham while his three-and-a-half-year treatment plan was started, his treatment includes daily chemotherapy, steroids, lumber punctures and transfusions. All of that was done just Harry and Katie by themselves due to covid restrictions.

The last 15months have obviously had a massive effect on all of us in Harrys immediate family, with Harry continually having hospital stays it falls to Ryan who has to manage work, while also looking after George and older brother Ollie.

Firstly, I need to raise an amount for Leukaemia UK, this is the charity that I got the marathon place from. The chemotherapy that Harry receives was developed before man first landed on the moon, we need research to get new medication that isn’t as toxic. Just because their hair grows back, does not mean its over and everything is ok, its never over and it is a lifelong journey. As survivors age, they can experience health problems years or decades earlier than their peers. Currently, almost all survivors have some description of lasting effects from their cancer treatment. Therefore, more research and kinder treatments are so desperately needed

The other charity is a very local one based in Stafford, they are called Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance (CCPA), their aim is to support the whole family during and after a child’s cancer diagnosis. They send arts and craft boxes every half term for all three boys, the Easter bunny and Santa have also made an appearance at the right time of year, which are such huge things to receive due to Harry not being able to attend normal events due to the risk of infection, they are a fantastic charity and I want to help them continue to support other families.

If in anyway you could look at the possibility of sponsorship for this marathon I, and we as a family would be most grateful.

Yours sincerely

Ant Fuller