Cookridge Community Run continues athletes' fundraising legacy and raises over £100k for Cancer Research UK

The brother of Gareth Dunn, a Leeds man who raised over £100,000 for Cancer Research UK has thanked the community for supporting the seventh annual Cookridge Community 10k in his memory.

Over 500 runners took part in the Cookridge Community 10k and fun run which took place at Golden Acre Park, Leeds, on May 17.

The seventh edition of the race saw fundraisers reach their ultimate fundraising target of £100,000 which means the event has now matched Gareth’s initial fundraising target.

Gareth Dunn was a passionate sportsman who had his sights set on training as an officer at the Sandhurst Military Academy before he was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, in 2014.

After having his right leg amputated, Gareth adapted and began training for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics in five different disciplines. Unfortunately, just three years after his initial diagnosis, Gareth was diagnosed with secondary cancer of the lungs and given just 18 months to live.

In that time, Gareth raised over £100,000 for Cancer Research UK and even completed the London Marathon a few months before he passed away in October 2018 at the age of 27.

He also shared his experience of life with cancer on his blog Chemotionally Unstable, revealing his darkly-humoured outlook on life.

The Cookridge Community Run was first created seven years ago to continue the fundraising efforts that Gareth started.

Gareth’s brother Rhys said: “The race was set up in 2019 in memory of my brother, Gareth, who passed away from sarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue cancer that disproportionately affects young people.

“Gareth was an active sportsman and had been selected to train with the British Paralympic squad. He ran the London Marathon in 2018 and often used Golden Acre Park for his training runs, just a few minutes from his home in Cookridge.”

This year’s Cookridge Community Run was a sell-out event and saw runners of all ages and abilities take part in a 10k trail run or one-mile family fun run across Golden Acre Park.

Rhys has thanked the community for this year’s support which enabled the event to reach its £100,000 target.

Rhys said: “A huge thanks must go to all our runners, volunteers, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Dan Cohen and CBeebies George Webster for making this event another special day out for the local community.

“Thanks must also go to all our sponsors, particularly Ivory Dental in Horsforth and Sunshine Delights for supporting us this year.”

The Cookridge Community Run continues Gareth’s amazing fundraising legacy, raising money for Cancer Research UK and local community sporting initiatives, including Scouts and local schools and youth sport.

If you are interested in learning more about the Cookridge Community Run and volunteering at or sponsoring next year’s event, visit the event’s website to learn more.