Two runners embark on 412-mile challenge for childhood cancer charity
Matthew O’Connor and Joe Hughes aim to raise £30,000 for The Azaylia Foundation.
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital is the start line for a 412-mile run today (Saturday 19 September), in aid of a childhood cancer charity.
The two runners, Matthew O’Connor and Joe Hughes, are running to raise money for research and support programs for The Azaylia Foundation.
The Azaylia Foundation "exists to drive change in childhood cancer," by supporting families and funding research since 2021, when founders Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee lost their 8-month old “little lion” Azaylia Diamond Cain to AML (acute myeloid leukaemia).
CEO Dominik Byrne shared his anticipation for the event, which will also celebrate 5 years since the charity's creation.
He said: "The run itself is a great example of the community getting behind children with cancer and specifically the Azalea Foundation to be able to support more and more families.
"We are incredibly grateful to Matthew and Joe for taking on this phenomenal challenge.
Fundraising like this is absolutely essential to our work.
The awareness and funds raised from these extraordinary efforts are what allow us to continue making a difference, funding life-saving treatments, backing pioneering research, and being a pillar of support for families navigating childhood cancer."
The pair have worked with the Azaylia Foundation previously, and are taking on the 9-day journey to hopefully raise £30,000.
Matt said: "We've got happy, healthy for kids, but we're very aware that we're lucky to have that, and we know that on the flip side of that, some parents and some families don't get that.
"That's the heartbreaking element of it, and why we're going to continue doing as much as we can with what we've got to try and give more people that chance."
The duo will be visiting four children's hospitals on their journey - starting at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, then heading to Great Ormond Street Hospital, Oxford Children's Hospital at the John Radcliffe and Birmingham Children's Hospital.
At each hospital, Matt and Joe will be delivering Jessie's JoyJars, which are plastic jars filled with brand-new, age-specific toys, games, and activities are designed to bring joy and encouragement to children fighting cancer.
Joe said: "Because the children on these wards are immunosuppressed, it's very difficult for them to have a lot of things.
"These jars are specifically built to be able to get them into the wards safely."
Matt and Joe will be taking on 50 miles a day, and will cross the finish line at West Midlands Safari Park, arriving to over 400 guests at The Azaylia Foundation's five year celebration.
Every donation raised will go directly to The Azaylia Foundation.
To support Matt and Joe on their journey, visit their GoFundMe page here.