A LITTLE boy who is in remission from a rare form of cancer is fronting a charity appeal to help other sick youngsters.

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, which supports families with a seriously ill child, is calling on people to take part in this year’s Great North Run in September.

The aptly named Daniel Rainbow and his family, from Stanley, are appealing to people to sign up to the half-marathon and join ‘Team Daniel’ along with his mum, Claire, and other family members, to help raise funds.

She said: “We would really encourage people to sign up to Team Daniel.

“Rainbow Trust understands what we have been through, what our life looks like and what it feels like having a child with a serious illness. I couldn’t do without them now.

“If it wasn’t for our family support worker Sabrina’s encouragement to speak to other parents, I’d never have spoken to anyone.”

Daniel was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was two years old, just three days before Mrs Rainbow found out she was pregnant with Emily, who is now two years old.

The family was referred to Rainbow Trust soon after.

Mrs Rainbow said: “I’ve gone to coffee mornings at the hospital and just having that time and space to talk to other parents has been so helpful.

“It helps me feel less isolated and more supported knowing and meeting others who are going through the same as us.

“I felt that if I left Daniel’s room and spoke to other parents then it was real, that the nightmare we were living was our life now. For a long time I thought today would be the day the doctors would say, ‘Sorry Mrs Rainbow, we’ve made a mistake and got it all wrong’.

“Unfortunately, people with neuroblastoma can have a high tendency to relapse but Daniel has been in remission for eight months now and is doing very well.”

Rainbow Trust is encouraging runners without a ballot place to sign up for the 70 places up for grabs.

Ballot runners can also use their place in the event to support the trust.

Competitors need to raise £300 each and pay a £40 registration fee.

Rainbow Trust will provide each runner with a Team Daniel running vest and will have cheering squads at the event.

Runners will also enjoy a post-race reception and massage and will receive a ‘thank you’ card designed by Daniel.

Daniel’s family will be filming a video wishing runners good luck and talking about the help they have received from Rainbow Trust.

Oonagh Goodman, the trust’s director of fundraising and marketing, said: “The Great North Run is one of Rainbow Trust’s biggest events of the year and we are extremely grateful to Daniel and his family for backing our appeal calling for people to sign up for it.”