A CHARITY run to raise money for young people fighting serious illnesses has been launched in the North-East.

Scores of special guests attended the £5million Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre in Newcastle on Tuesday to launch this year’s Children’s Cancer Run to raise vital funds for research into the life-threatening disease.

The run, which will be held at Newcastle Racecourse on Sunday, May 21, was officially opened for entries at the launch event by families whose lives had been directly affected by childhood cancer.

During their visit the families also toured the state-of-the-art laboratories at the centre where world-class research trials take place.

Cancer survivor and chairman of North of England Children’s Cancer Research, Chris Peacock, said: “It is more important than ever to raise vital funds for research into children’s cancer, so we can defeat the disease once and for all.

“That’s why the Children’s Cancer Run is such a tremendous family event to be part of. Every year we’re blown away by the support we all receive.”

The run offers five mile, three mile and ‘mini mile’ cross country tracks to ensure families and runners of all ages and abilities can take part.

To enter or get more information visit: neccr.org.uk/event/childrens-cancer-run-2017/