Nottingham author Nikki Love, 53, had planned to run 2,500 miles across Australia this year to raise funds for childhood cancer research charity Children with Cancer UK but due to coronavirus (COVID-19) her plans were put on hold. Instead, she is now taking on the challenge from home – running the distance of a marathon and a half (40 miles), every day for just over eight weeks.
- Nottingham woman raising money for Children with Cancer UK by running a marathon and a half every day for eight weeks
- Nikki Love, 53, a motivational speaker and author, is running 40 miles a day, over 63 days – 2,500 miles in total
- 2,500 miles is the equivalent distance of 95.5 marathons
- Nikki is set to complete the challenge in October.
So far it’s been a major test of endurance – especially during the recent heatwave – and I think the hardest part will be dealing with the varied weather conditions inside the gazebo. I’ve also had an ankle injury that I was receiving acupuncture treatment for right up to the week before I started, and I have just started hormone replacement therapy to help with my menopausal symptoms but I’m determined to finish it. UK charities, like Children with Cancer UK, have been badly affected by the pandemic due to major fundraising events being postponed or cancelled – I’m hoping, through this challenge, I’ll be able to provide some support to the charity, and the families they look after, in their time of need. I’ve chosen to fundraise for Children with Cancer UK because every day in the UK, 12 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer – and as a mother myself I cannot imagine how devastating that must be for those families. Many people also don’t realise that cancer in children is very different from cancer in adults and needs its own specialist research, which is what Children with Cancer UK works hard to fund.Nikki started her 40-mile a day running challenge on 1 August and is due to finish at the end of October. To support Nikki and her chosen charity, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/run-across-oz-cwc Editors’ Notes Children with Cancer UK’s press office E: media@childrenwithcancer.org.uk T: 0207 404 0808 M: 07 795 956 342 About Children with Cancer UK Children with Cancer UK is the leading national charity dedicated to research into childhood cancer. We fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancers and provide support for families affected by childhood cancer. We have accelerated breakthroughs to improve childhood cancer survival rates and find kinder, more effective treatments with fewer toxic side effects. This ground-breaking research, which would otherwise go unfunded, saves the lives of children with cancer. Children with Cancer UK receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of donations from supporters. About childhood cancer and Children with Cancer UK’s impact Every day in the UK, 12 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer. Fifty years ago, only 30% of children with leukaemia survived, and for most other forms of childhood cancer survival rates were even lower. Today, thanks to our supporters and the dedication of visionary researchers like those we fund, more than 80% of young patients can be successfully treated. More vital research is needed though as there are still a number of cancers affecting children and young people with low survival rates and life-limiting side effects. Cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK.
