A thoughtful teenager from Tarporley has raised more than £3,000 for the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity in memory of his grandpa.
Seventeen-year-old Barnaby Franklin created his own marathon by cycling 14.5 miles and running 12.5 miles, having promised his grandad Stuart Dawson that he would do him proud by completing such a challenge.
Sadly, Stuart passed away in September last year, having only been diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland in February.
The team at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre cared for him as his condition worsened, so Barnaby was determined to support the charity.
Barnaby, who is head boy at Abbey Gate College, planned his route with ‘real Chester man and huge Chester FC fan’ Stuart in mind, cycling from Tarporley to his grandparents’ house in Plas Newton before running to Clatterbridge.
“It was a real buzz doing the challenge, but I didn’t realise how hard it was going to be,” said Barnaby.
“I got bad thigh cramp about eight miles into my run and I really couldn’t have done it without my amazing support team.
“When I reached the finish line at Clatterbridge, I broke down. I felt very emotional, as it was my first time back at the centre.
“I set my initial target to £1,500 and have gone past £3,000, which I could never have imagined!
"I would love to thank all those who donated and supported the charity.”
Elspeth Wilson, fundraising manager at the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, is ‘so grateful’ to Barnaby for taking on the challenge and explained that the £3257.72 will help to fund vital cancer research.
She said: “It is thanks to the dedication and commitment of people like Barnaby that we will be able to embark on a journey to change cancer care for the better.
“We are calling on people from across the region to get behind us and Let’s Transform Cancer Care.
“We have a real opportunity to achieve great things as we invest in our hospital in Wirral and build a new cancer hospital in Liverpool.”
To support Barnaby, click here.
