Schoolboys set to take on Theo's Obstacle 5K for our hospital!
Four Aston schoolboys are set to take on The Children’s Hospital Charity’s biggest event of the year, braving obstacles, inflatables, foam, water and mud to help the ward which is providing treatment for their friend.
14-year-old Harrison Walch was admitted to the Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital last month. This July, friends Elliott Howson, Ryan Leather, Rhys Hudson and Joshua Mitchell will take on Theo’s Obstacle 5K at Hesley Wood Scout Camp.
The boys’ friendship has been fostered over a shared love of football, where they all played together for their local team, Aston Swallonest Boys Blue U15’s. They have so far raised more than £180 to the appeal to transform the ward where Harrison is undergoing treatment.
Harrison’s Mum Nickie Walch, 40, explains his diagnosis: “Harrison was breaking out in bruises, but we put that down to just teenage boys playing football. He began looking pasty, feeling tired and lost his appetite, so we took him to our GP.”
After seeing his symptoms, the GP did a blood test, which confirmed a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The aggressive form of cancer is caused by the rapid growth of abnormal white cells in the bone marrow and blood.
Harrison was admitted to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where he has been undergoing intensive chemotherapy, which began last month.
Nickie added: “The staff are amazing, but the facilities are not what you would wish for when your child is so sick. It’s not a world we’ve been used to or needed to venture into, but it has been a real eye-opener for us.
“We’ve had to sleep on a camp bed for the last month and as there’s lots of younger children undergoing difficult treatment, there’s been very little rest.”
Harrison’s ongoing treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital prompted the schoolboys to do whatever they could to support their friend.
Nickie continued: “They volunteered to do it, I think it’s great that they want to do something for their friend. It’s such a kind and caring act, we’re really touched by it.”
Explaining the motivation behind the challenge, Elliott’s Mum Shreen Howson, 46, added: “They just really wanted to do something for the hospital after Harrison was diagnosed, which is really admirable.”
“I saw the Obstacle race and thought, ‘that’s perfect!’. They’re all excited, you know what teenage boys are like, they want to throw themselves at anything! I’m sure they’ll be some healthy competition and plenty of fun on the day.”
Cheryl Davidson, Fundraising Events Manager at The Children’s Hospital Charity added: “It’s really moving to hear about Elliott, Ryan, Rhys and Josh’s thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit in support of their friend Harrison.
“We look forward to welcoming them to Theo’s Obstacle 5K, which is bigger than ever before this year. It promises to be a fun-filled day out for all the family with every penny raised making a difference to the thousands of children who visit Sheffield Children’s Hospital every year.”
Prices for Theo’s Obstacle 5K are £20 for adults and £14 for children, with group discounts available for family bookings. Places are limited so sign-up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment here