TWO friends will take on the most gruelling challenge of their lives this month, in support of a four-year-old boy who was diagnosed with brain cancer.
As previously reported in the Journal, Jaxon Garvey's family was given the devastating news on Christmas Day that doctors had found four tumours on his brain, after he had previously been complaining of neck pain.
Despite the shock of the diagnosis, doctors were able to successfully remove 95% of three tumours in an intensive 11-hour surgery.
To shrink the remaining tumours, the brave four-year-old has been going through chemotherapy and will soon tackle his fourth round of treatment.
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Aware of the stress this has caused the family and the "amazing" work of doctors at Manchester Children's Hospital, Jaxon's uncle James Pickles wanted to take on a challenge of a lifetime in honour of his nephew, to support his family, and raise money for those at the hospital.
After conquering numerous physical challenges, James, 26, and his friend, Dale Turton, 30, will run a 52-mile double marathon from Leeds to Leigh on Friday, April 21.
The run will also include a 1,000-metre incline, which is around the equivalent of the summit of Mount Snowdon, as the pair aim to reach Leigh Sports Village as the Leopards take on the Leeds Rhinos at 8pm.
James, an electrician from Leigh, said: "Me and Dale completed 'Europe's Toughest Mudder' last year and had been wanting to do an even more difficult challenge.
"We decided on the double marathon when Leigh are playing Leeds, and picked Manchester Children's Hospital as our charity after everything that happened with Jaxon.
"Things are looking positive for Jaxon, he's in his third round of chemotherapy and about to start his fourth. The doctors have done such an amazing job so we just wanted to show our gratitude."
Setting themselves a 14-week training programme that includes running marathons and half-marathons at weekends, James and Dale are looking forward to the gruelling challenge and hope they can reach the Sports Village in time for kick off.
To support James and Dale's efforts, you can donate to their fundraiser here.
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