Firefighters to run from Newcastle to Leicester wearing their full kit to raise money for an eight-year-old with cancer

The team of 13 firefighers will set off on Friday, March 31, from Newcastle and run across the country to Leicester.

Firefighters are taking on the huge challenge to raise money for eight-year-old Oliver Maw, who was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma in February 2021.

The money will go towards a potential life-saving vaccine in America.

Oliver’s uncle, Peter Wilson, is a crew manager at TWFRS and he and his colleagues have helped contribute to the £160,000 total raised so far; however, it is still £100,000 short of the money needed.

Peter is unable to take part in the run but will be cheering his TWFRS colleagues on when they set off from the Great North Children’s Hospital on Friday.

Watch Manager Graeme Taylor, who works alongside Peter, will be joined by colleagues from Gateshead, Gosforth, Tynemouth, Barmston Mere, South Shields, Sunderland Central and Washington for the 200 mile run.

Graeme said: “Oliver is an inspiration to us all. He has had to overcome so much in his seven-years but if you meet him his smile is infectious and there is always a friendly wave to everyone.

“The firefighting blue light family always sticks together and it’s heart-warming to see everyone coming together to try and create a better life for Oliver.

“We are all proud to be running for such an amazing cause.”

The mammoth challenge follows firefighters from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) completing the same challenge but in reverse after they heard about Oliver’s fundraiser in October 2022.

The 13 North East firefighters will set off at 7.30am on Friday before arriving in Leicester city centre on Saturday (April 1) afternoon.

Graeme added: “Oliver’s bravery matched with the generosity of our fellow firefighters at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has totally inspired us to pick up the baton and quite literally help the crews to run for Oliver’s life.”

There are two Just Giving pages, one for the Run for Oliver and the overall fundraising page Olivers Fight Against Neuroblastoma.

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