Two months today, on the 13th October, I will be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for Solving Kids Cancer in Memory of Bella Gray.

I am by no means a speedy runner (barely one at all!) but I would be so grateful if you could support me for this great cause.

Solving Kids Cancer UK has a particular focus and expertise in the rare and complex cancer, neuroblastoma. They aim to initiate and fund pioneering research to save lives and improve outcomes for children, provide family support for those caring for a child with neuroblastoma and to raise awareness of childhood cancer and campaign for positive change.

I went to school with Jonathan, Bella's Dad. Bella shone so much light into their family and so far beyond. She was treated for over 2.5 years for High Risk Neuroblastoma and sadly passed away on the 11th July 2023, on her sixth birthday.

In the words of Jonathan, “There is a lot that makes up Childhood Cancer: The disease itself; the children and families affected; diagnosis; treatment; mental health; nurses; doctors. Prior to Bella being diagnosed, I knew nothing about Children's Cancer, I naively thought it was something that knocked on a small percentage of peoples doors. All we want to do is make people aware of what's out there, and what more can be done to combat it.

“We believe that Bella died due to lack of available and viable treatment options. All childhood cancers combined receive just 4% of government allocated research funds - when a large proportion of childhood cancers, including Neuroblastoma, are isolated solely to children (and every adult was once a child!), this is unfathomable. During Bella's gruelling treatment that lasted over 2.5 years, she regularly received drugs that were intended for adults over the age of 25.

High Risk Neuroblastoma has a survival rate of 50%, which drops to just 10% if the child relapses. We hope to raise money to help change these statistics, as well as to help children and families whilst going through this very difficult time.”

I would be so grateful for any donations for this incredible cause to support families like Jonny, Niamh, Bella and Indie, to get me to the start line and hopefully across the finish line (and any support on the day wouldn’t go amiss either if you are free!). Thank you so much.

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