THE Mells 10k will take place this Saturday to raise money for CLIC Sargent in memory of local boy Ben Crutchley, and has already raised nearly £15,000 in runners’ sponsorship.
The 10k will begin at 11am and can be cycled, run, or walked round a loop from the Mells Recreation Ground on Gay Street, and will pass through the Mells Park Estate. It is open to people over 15, and the organisers ask that each participant try to raise £100 or more in sponsorship. There will also be a fun run event for children, organised into age groups: under 5, 5 to 7, 8 to 11, and 12 to 15.
The fundraising is in honour of Ben Crutchley, a nine-year-old boy who died of a brain tumour in 2012. It is part of a larger effort by Ben’s family, who live in Newbury, to raise £1million for CLIC Sargent by June 2017. His parents Nigel and Su decided to raise the money after being so moved by the help and compassion offered by the charity during Ben’s illness.
Nigel said, “Our CLIC Sargent nurses Sally and Ally provided so much more than just medical advice. They guided us through telling Ben’s older brother Luke about what was happening, explained to us about the effects of radio and chemotherapy, helped us to navigate the never-ending NHS maze, and supported us through some of the darkest hours anyone can imagine, but most importantly they were there for Ben.
“Ten families each day in the UK are told that their child has cancer – that’s ten more families like mine who will desperately need the help of CLIC Sargent.”
The run will add to the family’s ongoing fundraising. It begins at Mells Recreation Ground at 11am on Saturday 11th October, and entry is £11.25. To find out more about the run or Ben’s story, go to www.mells10k.com.
CLIC Sargent is a charity that provides clinical, practical, financial and emotional support to children and young people with cancer, and their families.
