A determined 12-year-old has committed to running a mile every day for a year to raise funds in memory of the uncle she lost to a brain tumour when she was only a baby.
Esmé Robinson, from Bolton, was inspired to take up the challenge as a tribute to her Uncle Andrew, who was just 25 when he was diagnosed with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
Despite initially being told he had just six weeks to live, Andrew, a talented art teacher from Huddersfield, courageously battled the aggressive and inoperable tumour for 21 months, but sadly died in 2014, at the age of 27.
A decade on, the niece he adored is keeping his memory alive, while raising awareness to help change outcomes for families such as theirs.
The idea was sparked when Esmé found one of her uncle’s old T-shirts, bearing the phrase “I will run a year”, which inspired her to follow in his footsteps.
Esmé said: “There are days when I’m tired or the weather’s bad, but then I remember how hard Uncle Andrew fought. If he could go through all of that and still stay positive, I know I can push myself to finish my mile every day. I want to keep going for him.”
The schoolgirl and her family are making the challenge even more meaningful by joining parkrun events in places that held special memories for Andrew, including Huddersfield where he grew up, and St Helens where he received care in his final days
Brain Tumour Research is inviting supporters to follow Esmé’s lead and join our 99 Miles in November challenge. You can complete the fundraiser at your own pace and in your own way. Choose to swim or cycle, row, run or ramble. By doing so, you’ll be helping to fund the fight against brain tumours.
You can donate to us via Esmé's JustGiving page here or sign up to take part in 99 Miles in November here.
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