Childhood cancer charity, Candlelighters, are calling on the generous people of Yorkshire to register to run this year’s Great North Run before the registration deadline of 28 June.

In 2018, 54 people took part in what is the world’s largest half marathon in support of Candlelighters, including Chloe Cross of Sky Betting & Gaming. Candlelighters were Sky Betting & Gaming’s Charity of the Year during 2018 and Chloe took part in a number of challenges throughout the year including the Great North Run, raising over £1,000 for her efforts.

Chloe took part in this iconic event in support of her best friend, whose son was diagnosed with cancer and supported by Candlelighters. Chloe said, “Taking part in the Great North Run was an incredible experience and I am so grateful to Candlelighters for providing me the opportunity to participate. It was emotionally overwhelming and I cried most of the way round reading the backs of people’s t-shirts and their stories”. Although she found the challenge difficult, Chloe believed it was worthwhile to raise much needed funds for such a worthy cause. “It was so hard to keep going and my legs were like jelly, but when I reached 16km I saw the Candlelighters team there cheering so loudly which spurred me on to finish the race. I encourage people to sign up this year as it is such a special day and you would be supporting an incredible charity in Candlelighters. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I have signed up to run for Candlelighters again this year!”

Chloe’s Great North Run fundraising contributed towards Sky Betting & Gaming’s Charity of the Year partnership with Candlelighters which raised over £100,000. Candlelighters provide financial, emotional and practical support to children and their families affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire. Each year, around 150 family’s lives are changed when their child is diagnosed with cancer, and Candlelighters support these families through the delivery of a range of high quality family support services for as long as is needed, from the point of diagnosis, after treatment and for those families who are sadly bereaved. Candlelighters Fundraising Manager, Tom Robertshaw, said “We were so proud of Chloe and everyone else who ran the Great North Run for Candlelighters last year and we are encouraging others to get involved in 2019. We have a very limited number of places remaining and we don’t want anyone who is interested to miss out with the registration deadline looming on 28 June.”

If you or anyone you know would like to support Candlelighters by taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday 8 September 2019, please visit candlelighters.org.uk/great-north-run-2019. For further information, please call 0113 322 9283 or email [email protected].