Less than a year after their brother Ethan died from a rare form of cancer, South Shields siblings Ellie and Evan are set to take part in this year's Children's Cancer Run in his honour to support charity Children's Cancer North.
Ethan, who was nine, died in August 2021. He had been diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma just nine months earlier after going to hospital complaining of toothache.
Sadly, the rare cancer - which sees tumours grow in soft tissue areas of the body - worsened and Ethan died after treatment at the Great North Children's Hospital.
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But his family are determined to use the memory of "the funniest, kindest little boy" to raise money and awareness for children's cancer charities - and part of their plan is to support this year's run.
The kids' mum Tracey, told ChronicleLive: "He was funny. Even when I would tell him off he would look at me and say 'you're going to laugh'. He was the kindest, funniest kid.
"One day on the ward, a boy across from him was having a really bad day, Ethan was coming to the end of his treatment. He took his little zimmer frame and walked across the ward and he gave him a toy.
"If Ethan was still here he'd be doing it. So we all said that Ellie and Evan would do it too."
Tracey explained that Ethan - who was a pupil at Harton Primary in South Shields - was always thinking about how to help others on the ward in hospital, even when he was seriously ill.
"Ethan was an inspiration to us all," she said. "He was such a little character and was so kind. He was always thinking of others, even when he was so poorly himself, so that’s why we want to continue his legacy and give back.
"Ethan’s ethos was always ‘family, friends and fun’ and that’s what the Children’s Cancer Run is all about. It’s so important that we raise as much money as we can and increase awareness of childhood cancer as there is so much work that still needs to be done.
"We want to ask people to sign up to run to help children going through the unimaginable struggle of dealing with cancer. By working together, we can all help to make a difference for them.”
Tracey explained that after friends and family had helped raise hundreds of pounds in Ethan's name, his priority on a trip to the Metrocentre had been to buy lots of the toys he'd have loved in hospital - "he loved his Marvel action figures, then there was Baby Yoda" - to bring back for the others stuck on the wards too.
Tracey said the family were looking to raise money and awareness, and had also been working with the Alice's Ark network of Rhabdomyosarcoma families to fundraise too.
She said Children's Cancer North had a special place in the family's heart.
"The biggest thing to say is that if you're not within the 'cancer bubble' then you don't understand what it's like, especially from the point of view of all the charities that there are," she said.
"Children's Cancer North is there for the research but also for the children's wellbeing. These kids are sometimes on the wards for hours and they can't come out.
"CCN have play assistants who help with the fun things to keep children busy. Often they come and spend time with the children. And I know parents who loved just having the break and time to take a breath. It's support for them too."
She said Ethan had enjoyed Lego and even building a bird-box thanks to the charity.
Children Cancer North launched after the North of England Children’s Cancer Research and Children’s Cancer Fund joined forces last year, but the Children's Cancer Run has been held for 39 years.
It was first started at Kings School in Tynemouth when one of the pupils there - Chris Peacock - was suffering with cancer.
Chris is now the charity's Chair, and the run is the biggest single charity fun run in the UK.
This year, it takes place on May 15 at Newcastle Racecourse. The event also includes food and drink, fairground rides and even an inflatable assault course.
Chris Peacock said: "It is truly inspirational that Ellie and Evan Adams are running in memory of their much-loved brother Ethan and raising money to help other children with cancer.
"Today, as we mark World Cancer Day, we are inviting families across the region to sign up to join them and help us in our mission to make this year’s run our most successful yet.
"It is always a fantastic day out for the whole family, and gives a great sense of achievement knowing that you can support the brave children who are fighting this terrible disease."
February 4 is World Cancer Day. For more information, support and guidance, visit worldcancerday.org. To sign up for the Children's Cancer Run, visit https://childrenscancernorth.org.uk/event/childrens-cancer-run-2022/
