david sweet
Running for Fatboys Children's Cancer Charity
Fundraising for Fatboy's Cancer Charity
Story
6 years ago I completed a marathon in Edinburgh. Physically and mentally broken from the
experience, I vowed never again!
6 years on I am now breaking that vow and on Sunday the 28th
of April I will be participating in the London Marathon. Such a worthwhile
cause has presented itself that I am determined to dust off my running shoes,
get training and focus for 26.2 miles! Sadly I was kick-started into this change
of mind due to my 5year old great nephew Charles (aka Charlie) being diagnosed
with an acute form of Leukaemia.
October 2018 presented this devastating news to the family and
has changed all our lives. He is currently 3 months into a 6 month course of
intensive chemotherapy which is challenging for anyone, let alone a 5 year old;
but he has been incredibly brave and remarkably cheerful despite all the
terrible side effects of his treatment. We remain hopeful for a full recovery
but it’s going to be a long process. Once the initial 6 months of treatment is
over, there will be another 4 years of treatment for Charlie to endure.
26.2 miles is nothing in the terms of suffering in
comparison to the intense journey Charlie will have to travel for the
foreseeable future, so I decided to raise some money for those who helped bring
a smile to Charlie’s face during difficult times.
My niece Megan, Charlie’s mum, has chosen Fatboys as the
charity I will run for. They are a small organisation who were so kind to
Charlie when their representative Joe brought him gifts for Christmas. They were
formed in 1999 and at Christmastime, they visit Children’s oncology wards and
deliver presents to poorly children.
The aim of running the marathon is to raise as much money as
possible for Fatboys, so that in future other children will continue to benefit
from the generous contribution they make. In recognition it is much appreciated
not only by the children but by their parents and extended families. With this
in mind I can only invite you to support my efforts for supporting Fatboys
through giving generously to this charitable foundation.