A Harrogate teenager running the London marathon to fundraise in memory of his late father.
18-year-old Rafe Colman-Chadwick will be among 50,000 runners taking on the world famous marathon on 21st April.
Rafe will be one of just 200 18-year-olds to take on the challenge.
He is fundraising for Brain Tumour Research after his father Damian died from brain cancer aged 49, five years ago.
Rafe, who is at sixth form at Harrogate Grammar, said:
“To lose dad at 12 has had its challenges. Describing the emotions is hard to put into words, so instead I will put these emotions into action.
“I am running the London marathon for Brain Tumour Research and I need your help.
“Any donations and support to help combat cancer is hugely appreciated. When I was 10, my father got one of the rarest forms of brain cancer, stage 4 Glioblastoma.”
Rafe added: “He was told by doctors that he had 6 months to live, yet he cracked on with life with a smile on his face, because he knew the most important thing he could do, was to be there for me as my dad, despite the circumstances we were in.
“He lived for 2 years, far longer than what the doctors anticipated.
“To leave this world at 49, and to leave your son at 12, is something no parent should have to face.
“Without dad, I have had to learn how to shave (with the help of my friends) and learn how to fit back into the environment of everyday life. It has certainly had its challenges.
“There still isn’t a day I don’t think about his death. Yet, no challenge is harder than knowing you will be not be able to watch your child grow old. And this is something I have come to realise with time.”
Brain tumours remain one of the least funded areas of cancer research, with limited resources allocated to understanding this complex and devastating disease.
According to recent statistics, brain tumour research receives only a fraction of the funding compared to other forms of cancer research.
The funds Rafe will raise will contribute towards groundbreaking research projects, clinical trials, and the development of innovative treatments, ultimately improving the prognosis and quality of life for patients affected by brain cancer.
Rafe said: “I am incredibly thankful everyone who has supported me by donating to Brain Tumour Research. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
“Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this disease. I’m doing this in memory of my dad with the hope of making a positive impact on the lives of other patients and their families.”
To donate to Rafe’s 2024 London Marathon go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/raferunningfordad
Light up a Life service returns to children's hospice
Ripon Food and Gift Fair to return tomorrow
Roads around Ripon market square to reopen following resurfacing
Italian restaurant in Harrogate named among UK's top 100
Trains struck 97 objects in past year – with some items 'deliberately' placed on tracks
Ripon businesses set to host late night shopping event
Harrogate woman with MND creates charity recipe calendar
How Harrogate health and wellbeing services have helped transform lives
Harrogate Food and Drink Festival to return to Ripley for sixth year
New denture clinic opens in Harrogate
Harrogate groups granted share of Harrogate Rotary legacy fund
Harrogate Neighbours annual ball raises over £19,000
Harrogate street rangers cover 5,000 square metres with deep cleans
Former Harrogate teacher to officiate student's big day
Lauren Doherty educates pupils on road safety as part of national campaign
Harrogate's Rachel Daly scores 50th goal for Aston Villa
Ready, Steady, Cook competition raises £6,000 for children’s cancer
Police search for man following shop theft in Bilton
Harrogate hotel's loos inspire artists' exhibition
Harrogate MP opens 2,500th case since taking office
