FOOTBALL legend Alan Shearer visited a hospital ward to launch an annual charity run which funds research into childhood cancers.
The former Newcastle United striker is patron of the Children’s Cancer Run, organised by the North of England Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
Shearer called into the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle today to launch the Greggs-sponsored run which this year takes place at Newcastle Racecourse on Sunday, May 15.
He said: “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the children on the ward here today and it’s inspiring to see how well they and their families cope with this devastating illness.
“It really hammers home how much we need the funding raised through events like this to do more research into better treatments and cures for childhood cancers.”
The run offers five-mile, three-mile and ‘mini-mile’ routes so all members of the family can take part.
Former patient, three-year-old Joseph Fawcett attended the launch with his father, 34-year-old Alex Fawcett, from Stannington.
The family hope to raise £11,000 for the charity, £1,000 for each round of chemotherapy Joseph had to endure after he was diagnosed with an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) aged just eight months.
Mr Fawcett said: “This year is huge for our family, Joseph was once on this ward, and without the dedicated medical staff at the Great North Children’s Hospital I'm not sure he would be here today”
To enter, join or create a team, or for more details about the event, please visit: www.childrenscancerrun.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here