As most of you are aware, we have been raising money for Jacob in our baby room. Jacob was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma – a particularly aggressive childhood cancer – in May 2012.
The tumour was the size of a grapefruit on his right adrenal gland. Since then Jacob has undergone chemotherapy, an operation, further high dose chemotherapy, stem cell harvesting and transplant and radiotherapy. He is currently undergoing immunotherapy to try and prevent the cancer returning. Throughout this period, the family have been overwhelmed with the support they have received from family and friends and from Candlelighters, a charity that provides essential services and support to children with cancer, and their families.
At The Ark we are always keen to support charities and when hearing of Jacob’s condition, we were keen to do something to help. As keen marathon runners, Jo Brock and Heidi Bingham’s husbands wanted to become involved and so decided that to run / walk the Pennine Way would be a challenge to them and would provide them with a fabulous opportunity to raise both awareness and much-needed funds for Candlelighters.
So, on Friday 26th April 2013, they will set off on their travels, from Edale, Derbyshire and complete their challenge 10 days later in Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. Michael and Chris are training hard and we wish them luck (and no blisters!!) for this huge challenge.
We also plan to involve the children as much as possible and we are therefore planning to see how many marathons we can walk / run in the same period, either on foot or in prams, depending upon age and ability. This will include walking to / from school on some days where possible.
We are therefore looking to raise as much money as possible and have set a target to raise £2620 – i.e. £10 for every mile covered by Michael and Chris. A Just Giving page has been set up, which has already raised more than £1000 in 4 days. We have set a target to raise £2620, which equates to approximately £10 per mile. Any donation is greatly appreciated: https://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Bingham1
You can keep up-to-date with events as they happen on our Facebook and Twitter pages: www.facebook.com/thearkandspace and @thearkexp