Louis, aged 11, is a pupil at Chilton Primary, near Didcot. Together with his mother Gemma McIntosh, they are on a mission, and they really need your help to go well beyond their fundraising target of £1,000 in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. They have taken on the challenge of running 100 miles from 1st May until the 31st May, as a way of saying “thank you” to the charity who helped care for Louis Nan and Gem’s mother Sandra Lincoln following her cancer treatment.
In 2023, Sandra was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Following life changing surgery and lots of post-operative treatment from our amazing NHS, Sandra and her family received amazing support from the Macmillan nurses. With their help and added support, Sandra is now cancer free and is in recovery. The family are all so grateful for the help that the nursing team from Macmillan gave them and knowing how many people living in Oxfordshire are diagnosed with cancer and need to call on Macmillan Cancer Support for help, Louis decided it was time for the family to give something back.
A lot of donations have already been made from everyone sharing the story and Just Giving page. As a result, Louis is hoping that their initial £1,000 fundraising target could reach thousands of pounds more by the 31st May.
Although Louis plays football and is the goalie for the Sutton Courtenay Youth Team, he is not a runner. His mum Gem is physically active, but she too does not consider herself to be a runner. However, the pair put on their running shoes to train each morning before school, or after school and work, and at weekends too. For Louis getting out of bed early to do so, is another of his challenges but he is determined to succeed in their mission. Louis also has to fit in his homework and football training too.
“Macmillan gives people with cancer and their families everything they can to help both the patient and the family through such a difficult time,” says Gemma. “If you are diagnosed, your worries are Macmillan’s worries, and they do whatever it takes to provide support. Without donations however, they cannot support everyone who needs them, and none of us know when we might need their help. As 100 miles is a lot to cover in 31 days (3.23 miles a day), we have already started training. It is not an easy task especially with the weather we have faced, but every £1 donated is making it worthwhile knowing we have so much support behind us. We are completely grateful and humbled by everyone’s generosity so far.”
If you can spare even £1, those £1’s add up. Please visit Louis and Gem’s Just Giving page and donate whatever you can to help this incredible charity. www.justgiving.com/page/gemma-mcintosh
