Following on from his sixth place finish out of 300 runners 15-year-old Thomas Thompson is now eyeing another charity run in Leeds to raise money for Prostate Cancer.
As reported in the Driffield Times & Post last week, the Driffield School pupil raised £500 for the Children with Cancer UK charity, all off his own back.
The 5K race at Roundhay Park, Leeds for which he was sponsored has inspired him to raise more money for cancer charities, with Thomas also eyeing a 10k run.
Thomas, who has a 10-year-old brother, Ted, who attends Driffield Junior School, lost his mum, Nicole, 44, two years ago at Christmas to cancer.
Nicole, who was a district nurse in the area, was well known and Thomas is doing what he can to help with a cure for the disease.
Thomas’ dad, Aubrey, said: “He lost his mum and it was very sad, and he wanted to help the charity.
“I am very proud of him, I cried my eyes out. He did it all himself and now he’s looking to do another event in November for Prostate Cancer, again in Leeds at Roundhay Park.
“And next year he wants to extend to 10k runs – he does it all off his own back.
“And in the race I couldn’t believe it when he came near the front. I saw him come over the hill near the finish and I had to double take it was him. He was with the very serious guys, and it was just pure determination.
“His mum would be very proud of him.”
At the race Thomas bumped into two other Driffield teenagers who were also running in aid of charities. Meg Stephenson, 16, was raising money for stroke victims while Tom King, 15, was helping the multiple sclerosis charity.
To donate to Thomas’s cause, which is the Children with Cancer UK charity, go to his just giving page at www.justgiving.com/tomsfundraising
Here are just a small selection of messages on Thomas’ just giving page.
– OPA. “Very good that you are taking part in the run in Leeds for children with cancer.”
– Jason@fanthorpe. “Well done dude, you’ll reach your target no problem. You’ll love it too, I did a half marathon for a local charity last year, feels good!”
– Debbie Reynolds. “I commend you on doing this Thomas and hope you enjoy the day and the experience. Good luck with your fund raising.”
– Guy Newsam, Muntons malt. “Tom, Good luck with your efforts for such a worthwhile cause.”
– Felicity Leake. “Well done Tom, for fund raising for such a worth cause. Good luck David and Liz.”