Help support a young child facing a difficult future

Just over a year ago I ran the Great South Run (10 miles) to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society and this time I'm stepping up a bit to run the Basingstoke Half Marathon ( a hilly, challenging course) on 4th October.

My cause this year is much more personal: on 1st February this year, friends of the family were hit with the awful news that their youngest son, Alfie had a stage-3 malignant brain tumour. He was just 8 months old.

Alfie has had to endure all sorts of medical procedures (fluid drain, 13 hours of brain surgery, 5 lumbar punctures, head stitches corrected 3 times, internal shunt fitted & changed 3 times). The most recent MRI scan showed that the tumour had not been fully removed so chemotherapy will be necessary until he is 3. Add to this, his inability to swallow - he has to be tube-fed.

More recently, Alfie's parents, Charlotte & James, were told there may be another tumour on his spine. Should this be confirmed (shortly), it means the chemo isn't working which means they'll have to source an alternative chemo elsewhere in the world.

Charlotte & James have been by Alfie's side throughout his ordeal, whilst also caring for their older son, Harry, aged 3.

I am therefore trying to raise funds to help this family for all the treatment, equipment and other needs they may require.