Seven-year-old Hari runs 100k for Children’s Cancer Charity

A seven-year-old boy from Whitegate, Cheshire has raised more than £2,500 for a children’s cancer charity by running 5k every day over twenty days.

Hari Mitchell, a Year 3 pupil at The Grange Junior School, Hartford, drove past the new purpose-built Joshua Tree support centre every day on his way to school and was inspired to help by fundraising to support children affected by cancer. 

Hari ran his daily 5k accompanied by mum and dad along the local Whitegate Way and did not stop until reaching his final target of 100k!

Hari said, “I wanted to run 100km before my 8th birthday and raise money for The Joshua Tree as I want to help children who are poorly”.

Keen footballer, Hari said that running and talking helped him during the days of lockdown, something The Joshua Tree believe are vital components for dealing with aiding the recovery of a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Over 93 members of the local community have supported Hari’s fundraiser and raised more than £2,500 with donations still incoming.

Hari's mum Anita and dad, Chris said they could not be prouder of their young fundraiser.

Communications and Fundraising Manager, Pippa Watson-Peck said “We are so touched and delighted to receive this incredible donation by such a lovely young boy, who by passing the new support centre on the way to school and asking Dad what it was felt compelled to raise funds to help families affected by childhood cancers. It was a pleasure to show Hari, along with his mum and dad around the support centre as one of the very first visitors.”

To donate to Hari’s run please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-mitchell54

Children’s cancer charity, The Joshua Tree was founded in 2006 by Lynda and David Hill after their son was diagnosed with leukaemia and discovered a distinct lack in support services for all family members during the traumatic experience of childhood cancer. 

The focus remains at the heart of the charity, to continue to offer support to the whole family, from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond, as specifically recognising that post-treatment can be a challenging time, when families are having to adapt to their `new normal` and the charity offers support to help bridge the gap that is left when the safety net of treatment ends.

We are excited to announce the completion of a new fit for purpose support centre in Sandiway, which provides our families with a safe and appropriate environment to facilitate the service provision in response to the growing demand for our families.

The new support centre allows us to provide our families with a range of indoor and outdoor activities designed to stimulate the children and allow the family to experience much needed quality time together away from the confines of hospital treatment.

For more information please visit

www.thejoshuatree.org.uk

Pictured - Hari Mitchell, a Year 3 pupil at The Grange Junior School, Hartford.