Leeds schoolgirl walks a marathon in 12 hours in memory of brother's girlfriend
She’s doing it for the charity who supported her family 💗
A nine-year-old girl from Leeds has raised more than £2,000 by walking a marathon distance in one day in memory of her brother’s girlfriend.
India Wright completed the 26.2-mile challenge over 12 hours to support Young Lives vs Cancer, a cancer charity supporting children and young people and their families.
She was joined by her mum, Kate, her siblings Asa, 15, Darcy, 13, and Coco, 11, and cub leader Richard Cartwright.
India decided to undertake the walk in memory of Katie, who died from cancer at the age of 19. India and her siblings received help from a Young Lives vs Cancer social worker.
India said: “Young Lives vs Cancer came to our house when Katie was ill and helped us to know what was happening. When Katie died, I was really sad and Young Lives vs Cancer helped me and my brothers and sisters to talk about our feelings and do nice things in memory of Katie.
“I really wanted to do something big to remember Katie and raise money to help other families too.”
Young Lives vs Cancer provides specialist social workers to help children, young people and their families with day-to-day support from the point of diagnosis.
It also offers free accommodation near hospitals so families can remain together during treatment, as well as grants intended to ease the financial impact of cancer. Its work across the UK is funded through charitable donations.
Last year, Leeds-based specialist social workers from Young Lives vs Cancer supported 314 young people with cancer and their families.
According to the charity, families of a child with cancer face average additional costs of £700 a month, including spending on hospital travel, food and clothing.
In the West Yorkshire region, Young Lives vs Cancer distributed 124 financial grants worth a total of £20,647 to young people and families.
Krissa Ford, Young Lives vs Cancer Fundraising Engagement Manager for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart.
“The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical and it’s felt by the entire family. When cancer shows up, so do we. Our Young Lives vs Cancer’s specialist social workers provide day-to-day support for each child, young person and family, ensuring that they don’t have to face cancer alone.”
She added: “We rely on donations to fund our vital work and so we can’t thank India and all her family enough for their fantastic efforts.”
She said: “Thanks to India, the Wright family and everyone who donated. Their support means Young Lives vs Cancer will be able to help even more young people with cancer to get the right support when they need it most.”
India’s fundraising page is available at JustGiving.