A devoted dad has hit the headlines after he completed a 55-mile run inspired by his beloved son.
Ross Peckham ran from his home in Marske-by-the-Sea to the Great North Children’s Hospital to raise money for Brain Tumour Research. His incredible challenge was inspired by his son Lochlan, who died from high-grade glioma last year.
Lochlan underwent surgery, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Tragically, when an MRI scan revealed the tumour had spread, there were no further treatment options available and Lochlan passed away on 2nd May 2021 with his loving family by his side. He was just eight years old.
Since then, the Peckham family has raised more than £5,000 for Brain Tumour Research through fundraising initiatives such as a sponsored walk and turning their home into ‘Lochlan’s winter wonderland’ last Christmas.
Ross, who was joined on his run by Andrew Hebden, whose fiancée Dr Rebecca Hill was Lochlan’s lead consultant, said: “There is such a lack of awareness of brain tumours and that is just wrong. More funding needs to be assigned to researching this at a national level, in particular, paediatric brain tumour research, if our children are to survive this horrific disease in the future.
“The significance of the journey was huge, but it felt like a really happy moment. If Lochlan’s death can help in any way, that is great and if me running makes a fraction of a difference, then I’d do it ten times over.
“I hope Lochlan would be proud of me.”