A Westgate dad and stepdad is nearing the finish line of a marathon 270+ mile walk to raise funds for Children With Cancer UK.
Bathroom fitting business owner Sam Holliday started his trek from London to Portreath in Cornwall on March 30 and aims to get across the finish line this coming Sunday (April 12).
The 31-year-old is currently in Devon and has been walking around 22 miles – equivalent to a marathon- each day.
The challenge raising funds for the children’s cancer charity comes after stepson Terry was rushed to Kings Hospital in London in February last year where he needed emergency surgery for a brain tumour.
Terry, then aged 14, was suffering a rare and aggressive brain cancer, a pineoblastoma grade 4.
A 14 hour surgery was carried out but when Terry came round after the op he couldn’t walk, talk or eat.
The teen spent six weeks in Kings and then had another surgery to fit a peg so he could be fed and had a port to prepare for chemo.
Six weeks of chemo and radiotherapy, for five days each week, followed. After 13 weeks Terry returned home but still needed treatment.
Terry’s mum Vikkie, who will be taking on the London Marathon this month for the same charity, said: “The treatment was brutal with lots of sickness but Terry pushed through and proved just how strong he is.”
Liverpool FC fan Terry, now 15, finished chemo in November and received a clear scan in January.
He is working his way back to strength and has regained speech and some mobility and has regular check ups and scans every three months as well as physio sessions.
Nail salon boss and mum-of-four Vikkie said: “He’s doing really good, he’s getting back to school and having a more normal life.
“He had a peg to feed him but that’s now been removed. His mobility still has a little way to go but we think four to six months and he will be walking properly. He’s in good spirits.”
Sam says the walk for the cancer charity came about after booking a holiday for the family and joking that he could walk there to raise money, which included a £2k target to secure Vikkie’s marathon space.
Sam said: “I have quite a physical job but I’d say I am more determined than fit!”
Vikkie’s marathon challenge is also looming, with the mum undertaking runs through the week to build fitness.
The 38-year-old said: “Years ago I did running but it is a lot harder 10 years later but I am running three times a week. Normally I do two shorter runs of about 10k and then a longer, 20 mile run once a week.”
The joint fundraiser, labelled as Team Terry, has now hit a brilliant £5,765.
Vikkie said: “It is incredible and really a joy for us after a rough time to bring something positive out of it.”
Find the Team Terry fundraiser at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/team-terry-3
