It is now over 7 years since Sam passed away on 4th April 2019, aged 7, almost 8. Every year, since Sam was diagnosed and in his memory, the Hanson family have tried to complete an event or two to raise money for the amazing charities that benefited Sam on his journey. This year we will be raising money for the GOSH "Build It, Beat It" appeal.

As a lot of you know by now, Sam had been battling Leukaemia since Dec 2015 and had been in remission for over 2 years before he relapsed in June 2018. Sam received further treatment and a bone marrow transplant at GOSH on 24th October 2018, with Rhys (his brother) as his donor. He was once again in remission and recovering at home when he was cruelly taken from us by an aggressive infection that his recovering immune system could not fight.

This year the challenge is the Dunwich Dynamo a.k.a the Dun Run, a 180 km (112 mile) ride from Hackney Fields in London to Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. The 'Dun Run' is a legendary, self-supported, unorganised event where you just turn up and go. It takes place on the Saturday in July closest to the full moon - Why? Because it's an overnight ride! This year it's Saturday, 25th July, the goal of getting to Dunwich for sunrise (05:04) on the 26th. I will not be alone but will be accompanied by Rhys. Rhys was 11 when he was Sam's bone marrow donor, the day after the 'Dun Run' he will be turning 18! This will be his longest ride by far, and a true challenge.

GOSH is an outstanding facility, but a number of the cancer outpatient and inpatient wards were in the older parts of the hospital, that were in need of some TLC, and not up to the same standard as other parts of the hospital. This new appeal is to build a new cutting-edge Children's Cancer Centre, incorporating a new school and open spaces, that aims to transform children's cancer care. Sam really enjoyed the school and when in isolation would look forward to the visit from his teacher. We still treasure the craft work and animations that were done in those sessions, and truly hope the new school and cancer care facility will bring even more opportunity, and of course incredible treatment.

Ever conscious that it is often the same people donating year after year, we cannot thank you enough for your continued support. You're all amazing - Thank You!

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Every year around 1,800 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer. Research and treatments have dramatically improved survival, but cancer is still the biggest killer of children aged one to 14.

Great Ormond Street Hospital cares for children with the hardest to treat cancers. New, breakthrough treatments are giving hope to children across the UK, but these advances have outstripped GOSH’s current cancer facilities.

They need a new home for breakthrough treatments and pioneering research, so we can save more children’s lives. And because cancer shouldn't get to steal anyone's childhood, we need a place that's more than a hospital, that's a school, a playground, a garden and so much more.

Help build the future of children's cancer care and beat cancer for more children.