To launch the special 40th anniversary edition of the beloved Children's Cancer Run at Newcastle Racecourse, forty schoolchildren spread out on the course forming the number 40.
The Children's Cancer Run has raised upwards of £8m since first being held 40 years ago - when Chris Peacock, then a pupil at King's School, Tynemouth, was suffering from cancer and fellow pupils wanted to organise an event to help fundraise in his honour. The latest landmark event will take place in just three weeks on May 14.
At the launch event, Chris told ChronicleLive how he could still remember the very first event vividly, and that the charity mission of supporting children with cancer remained as important as ever. He said: "It's been going almost as long as I can remember. This year is an incredible year, for it to be the 40th!
Read more: 'Loving' son took his own life days after mum flagged concerns to mental health unit
"It's become one of the North East's most well-loved runs and it just had such massive support. People who ran it as kids now bring their kids. We have always tried to keep the message alive. We have had great supporters like Greggs, who've been there since the very beginning. The run is a really important thing for the North East.
"The run itself has raised over £8m, and the charity has contributed more than £40m. Of course, the run is the biggest event on the charity's calendar and the biggest contributor to it."
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the North East Children's Cancer Research fund and the Children's Cancer Fund merged to form Children's Cancer North - which continues to organise the popular fun run. Chris is chair at CCN.
He explained that the aim was simple, to help improve life for those children going through cancer diagnosis and treatment. He added: "Our charity aims to make life better for children with cancer. That's not just about research - though if you ask any parent on a ward they'll always ask for new cures and treatments - but it's also about helping children as they go through the worst and giving them a smile."
Looking back, he said the surprise of raising thousands at the very first event had been the foundation a North East institution was built on. He added: "I can still remember quite a lot from run number one! It was just going to be pupils from Kings, but then a few other schools said they might come along and there we went. We thought it might raise a thousand pounds, but then in the first year it raised £40,000 and we knew we were onto a bit of a winner.
"The event is amazing and we never get complacent about it.
Are you one of the thousands of people to have taken part in the Children's Cancer Run over the last four decades? Share you memories in the comments below.
"The fact is that childhood cancer is still the main cause of non-accidental death of young children and adolescents, even though mortality rates have definitely improved significantly. There are still 100 children a year being treated for cancer in the North East. Thankfully the majority will now survive, there is still a proportion that don't. That keeps us sharp."
At the launch event, pupils from four schools - Kings Priory in Tynemouth, Rockcliffe First School from Whitley Bay and Newcastle schools Dame Allan's Juniors and Brunton First - helped form a giant number 40 on the racecourse. Kings Priory head of PE Rob Snow brought ten youngsters along to the launch. He said he loves keeping the Kings connection to the event alive and that his pupils adore taking part.
He said: "It's a fantastic event, there are always lots of people you see from Tynemouth at the course. The children are always really excited about it. "
One of his pupils, Elsie Woodhouse, explained why she loved taking part. "It's always having the feeling of coming together as a community to help raise money for children with cancer. You get a sense of pride and it's lovely to be with everyone else."
Classmate Isla Morley added: "It's one of those things where it's just lovely to be able to help those who need it more than I do. I'm really excited to take part."
Registration for the Children's Cancer Run remains open. It takes place on May 14 and participants can take part in 1-, 3- and 5-mile courses. To find out more and sign up, visit childrenscancernorth.org.uk/event/childrens-cancer-run-2023/
READ NEXT
- Join ChronicleLive's WhatsApp community for breaking news and top stories
- Newcastle mental health wards 'not fit for purpose' warns regulator as NHS trust told it must improve
- Police reveal staggering 118 people arrested over Grand National protests by Animal Rising
Newcastle junior doctor who joked about gassing Jews on Twitter suspended by BMA
