Boy moved by ex-Buckie cousin's plight to run for cancer hospital
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A MORAY eight-year-old is going the extra mile to raise money for a London hospital treating his little cousin for a rare cancer.
West End Primary School pupil Riley Hall felt moved to act as his cousin, Lucas Smith, aged just six, faces months of treatment for the kidney cancer, Wilms' tumour, or nephroblastoma.
Riley took the first steps on Monday, June 1, in his self-set challenge to complete 200 laps of his family's sprawling garden at Moss of Barmuckity, between Lhanbryde and Elgin, to raise £200. The laps add up to 27.34 miles.
However, Riley smashed his fundraising target after just 21 laps – raising £340 on day one through his JustGiving page for the Oak Centre at Royal Marsden Hospital, in south London, where Lucas is undergoing chemotherapy.
Throughout June, Riley aims to complete over eight laps a day to reach 200 by the end of the month. He had completed 40 by Wednesday, June 3. For the last lap, Riley will take Lucas along with him virtually through Facetime.
Lucas, who moved with his family from Buckie to Epsom, London, two and a half years ago, was diagnosed with Wilms' tumour in January after weeks of stomach pains and trips back and forth to the GP.
He was started on chemotherapy within a week of the diagnosis and underwent an operation to remove the tumour and kidney. He then faced more chemotherapy and two weeks of intense radiotherapy.
It is likely the youngster will require up to six months of chemotherapy.
Riley's mum, Hannah (35), said the young cousins were very close and since Lucas's move from Moray they have been keeping in contact through Facetime. Lucas previously attended Millbank Nursery, in Buckie, and is now in year 1 at Danetree School, Epsom.
Hannah added: "Lucas has lost a lot of weight through this and at times he has been really sore so hasn't been up to speaking for long.
"In a way it's lucky my sister, Leah, and her family moved to London as the Royal Marsden Hospital is just 20 minutes away from where they now live and is the best cancer treatment hospital in the country.
"We are really proud of Riley for doing this. He couldn't wait to get started and ended up doing 21 laps on day one."
Hannah and husband Martin (35) run landscape gardening company Hallscapes, and their own garden is over an acre.
Leah, Lucas's mum, said: "The Royal Marsden have been amazing through all this and have been there for us every step of the way."
Inspired by the recent fundraising efforts of 100-year-old NHS hero Captain Tom Moore, Riley said: "Lucas often speaks about ringing the bell at the Marsden – and I'm so excited for that day."
To donate to Riley's fundraiser, visit the JustGiving page here.
