Mum to take on brutal challenge after son diagnosed with cancer aged seven

Sarah’s upcoming challenge was inspired by her son Andrew who was diagnosed with Lymphoma at just seven years old and she would like to give back to the charity which supported her son and family
-Credit: (Image: Sarah Rich)


A Cheltenham mum whose son was diagnosed with cancer is putting herself through her paces in her first ever 50-mile run to raise vital funds and awareness for two charities close to their family’s heart. The run is set to take place on Saturday (September 21) during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Sarah Rich is taking on the incredible challenge taking on the distance between Cheltenham and Bristol Children’s Hospital. She is going to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and The Grand Appeal, Bristol Children’s Hospital charity.

Sarah’s upcoming challenge was inspired by her son Andrew who was diagnosed with Lymphoma at just seven years old. Following the diagnosis, Sarah’s family received emotional and financial support from Young Lives vs Cancer. Young Lives vs Cancer is the only charity in the UK with specialist social workers dedicated to providing tailored emotional and practical care and support to children and young people with cancer like Andrew, and their families.

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Sarah said: “Andrew’s diagnosis and treatment had a huge impact upon our family - the realisation that Andrew would be in hospital for a long time in Bristol, away from family and friends, was really hard. These two charities supported us through the hardest of times.

"Now I want to do something to say thank you and to celebrate how far we have come, so I will be running and walking from our house in Cheltenham to Bristol Children’s Hospital over the course of a weekend. It was a journey that we drove regularly during his treatment and it feltlike it brought things full circle to use it as my fundraising route.

Andrew who was diagnosed with Lymphoma at just seven years old
Andrew who was diagnosed with Lymphoma at just seven years old -Credit:Sarah Rich

“Given how brave Andrew has been I really wanted to challenge myself. I have never run anywhere near this far or for this long, so it will be a very, very big challenge for me, but it is important to me to say thank you to those who helped us in the darkest days. I am very grateful for any donations and support.”

Last year in Gloucestershire Young Lives vs Cancer helped 133 families find the strength toface everything cancer throws at them. The charity gave out 105 financial grants to the value of £22,535 helping families to cope with the costs of cancer.

-Credit:Sarah Rich
-Credit:Sarah Rich

Charlotte Rutherford, Young Lives vs Cancer Fundraising Engagement Manager for Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bath, said: “Today, 12 more children and young people like Andrew in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years.

“This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month we want to raise vital awareness of childhoodcancer and how people can help support children and young people with cancer.

“We rely entirely on donations to fund our vital work and so we can’t thank Sarah enough forher fantastic efforts. We’d love to see as many people as possible support Sarah’s incrediblechallenge.”

To sponsor Sarah for her Running to Bristol adventure effort, go to Sarahs running adventure to Bristol - GiveWheel. For more information about Young Lives vs Cancer’s work go to www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk