Loving Aunty runs Leeds 10k to thank children’s charity

Gemma Brame from Elland, West Yorkshire took part in The Asda Foundation Leeds 10k on Sunday 20 July to fundraise for national children’s charity, The Sick Children’s Trust.

Gemma was inspired to take part in the run by her nine year old niece, Kennedy who is currently battling cancer for the second time. Kennedy was diagnosed with leukaemia at just two years old and has been undergoing treatment ever since. In September last year she became very unwell and was diagnosed with T-Cell Non–Hodgkins Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.  

Throughout Kennedy’s illness she has received specialist medical care at Leeds General Infirmary and her family have been able to stay close by to the hospital in Eckersley House, free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation provided by The Sick Children’s Trust. Without the charity’s support Kennedy’s parents would have been forced to pay expensive hotel accommodation costs in Leeds city centre or face long and tiring commutes to and from their home in Halifax.

Kennedy has also recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis; a condition that affects the bones so will be facing further specialist surgery soon on both her back and knee.

Gemma has been in training for the 10k run since January and it definitely paid off as she was thrilled to complete the race on Sunday in a fantastic 1 hour, 11 minutes and 24 seconds raising £375 for The Sick Children’s Trust.

Gemma, 28, says “Kennedy is so amazing; she has been through so much and continues to fight her illness. I visit Kennedy frequently when she is in hospital and have been to Eckersley House where my brother and Kennedy’s mum have been able to stay. I couldn’t believe how lovely the house is; it feels like a proper home and has all the facilities you could ever need.

Throughout Kennedy’s illness The Sick Children’s Trust has been there for my family so I really wanted to fundraise to give something back in recognition of the fantastic work they do. Kennedy now faces two years of treatment and I know that it is likely my family will need to use Eckersley House again. I hope that the money I have raised will contribute to the running costs of the house to ensure it can be there for families who are forced to face such difficult circumstances.”

Zoe Morris, Community Fundraiser at The Sick Children’s Trust said “We are so grateful to Gemma for completing the Leeds 10k in aid of The Sick Children’s Trust. It costs £28 to accommodate a family for one night in our ‘Home from Home’ accommodation so every penny that Gemma has raised will help us to keep families together when they need each other most.”

To sponsor Gemma please visit https://www.justgiving.com/Gemma-Brame/?provider=personalGivingApp