Up, up and (they’re) away! More than 1,000 superheroes will be donning capes, headbands and trainers to take part in the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon. The runners, including Guy Malam and Kevin Heath from Doncaster based Tembé DIY are running to raise vital funds for Children with Cancer UK.
Guy Malam and Kevin Heath are busy training hard for the big day and hope to raise as much as possible through online sponsorship and fundraising.
Ben Twyman, Head of Events at Children with Cancer UK, explains, “Training for the Virgin Money London Marathon takes real commitment and determination. All our runners have given up their time and put incredible energy into raising much-needed funds to help us fight childhood cancer. In our eyes they are all real life superheroes. “
Children with Cancer UK is the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer. We fund life-saving research into the causes, prevention and treatment of childhood cancer and we work to protect young lives through essential welfare programmes.
Guy Malam, Managing Director of Tembé DIY & Building Products explains why he chose to support Children with Cancer UK: “Cancer is the biggest child-killer disease in the UK. Almost 4,000 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year and the incidence has been on the increase. There are more than 50 types of childhood cancer. Thanks to research funded by Children with Cancer UK survival rates for the most common form of childhood cancer, leukaemia, have increased dramatically over the past 50 years, but for some rare types of cancer survival rates remain at zero. Tembé are proud to continue doing its part to help raise money for a cure.”
Many of the staff at Tembé DIY live in and around Epworth and have been affected by the story of Epworth youngster Alexander Strong who was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma on Christmas Eve 2009. Sadly, he lost his battle in January 2013 after fighting the disease for two years from the age of five.
The Children with Cancer UK running team can be found in races across the globe from New York to Newcastle and Portsmouth to Paris – all running to help raise funds to save young lives.
To help Children with Cancer UK raise essential funds and continue the fight against childhood cancer, visit childrenwithcancer.org.uk to make a donation or find out how to get involved.