READY… SET… RACE! SOLIHULL RUNNER TAKES ON LONDON MARATHON CHALLENGE FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK

23rd April 2023

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A Solihull runner is lacing up his trainers as he gets ready to take on the TCS London Marathon this Sunday (23 April 2023) in aid of Children with Cancer UK. Kai Thomson, 19, from Solihull, will be pounding the pavements and completing the world-famous 26.2 mile marathon to help raise funds for Children with Cancer UK, the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer. Kai was inspired to take on the marathon challenge in support of the charity after he and his twin brother, Ethan, were both diagnosed with leukaemia less than one year apart - Ethan was just 19 months old and Kai was two and half. They both successfully completed treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Kai comments: “Going through cancer treatment with Ethan was tough - not only for me to see the affect the diagnosis had on my brother, but also the impact on my parents. Looking back, I can’t even imagine the trauma that they were going through during that time. They really had to face the unthinkable, having two children diagnosed with cancer. “Today, I’m so motivated to show my support for Children with Cancer UK and to help raise important funds to support families facing a cancer diagnosis. My advice for other cancer patients is to “focus on the fight not the fright” and I hope I can help increase awareness of Children with Cancer UK’s vital work to support young people diagnosed with the disease.” This year, over 1,000 runners will be completing the TCS London Marathon to help raise crucial funds for Children with Cancer UK, many of whom have a personal connection to the cause. Former marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe MBE, who is an Ambassador for Children with Cancer UK, will be sharing messages of encouragement for this year’s running team. Jo Elvin, CEO of Children with Cancer UK, said: “We’d like to thank Kai and every single runner who is taking part in the TCS London Marathon this year for Children with Cancer UK. We’re incredibly grateful for their passion, determination (and willpower!) to take on such a huge endurance challenge and help raise vital funds to support our ground-breaking research into childhood cancers. “Every runner, every step and every pound raised will make a huge difference in helping to support young cancer patients and their families across the UK. We wish Kai and his fellow competitors the very best of luck for Sunday and we’ll be cheering them on at the finish line!” This year’s Children with Cancer UK running team can also support the charity’s new partnership with Beads of Courage UK, which supports the mental health and wellbeing of seriously ill children. The top 500 fundraisers will be given a special Beads of Courage UK bead pack, which they can tie into their race-day laces. Following the race, they will then be invited to send their beads to a young cancer survivor with a personal message of support. The TCS London Marathon is the biggest annual fundraising event for Children with Cancer UK and this year the charity is hoping to raise £2 million. Every pound raised will help to fund ground-breaking scientific research into the treatment and causes of childhood cancer and provide crucial ongoing support for young cancer patients and their loved ones. Survival rates for children’s cancers are improving. Fifty years ago, three-quarters of children diagnosed with cancer died; today more than 8 in 10 children diagnosed with cancer in the UK survive. However, with around 4,200 new cases each year in the UK, it is still one of the leading causes of death for children and young people. For more information about Children with Cancer UK, visit www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk.

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