A DETERMINED youngster has raised almost £400 in preparation for the Mini Great North Run in support of his uncle who has been undergoing treatment at a teenage cancer unit.

Harley Latcham, eight, decided to take part in the event after asking his mother Gaynor if he could donate all his birthday presents to patients at the Teenager Cancer Trust Unit at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary because his uncle had been treated there.

Mrs Latcham, from Catterick Village, said: “My brother-in-law Lewis Maguire has been treated at the RVI since December last year, and although his treatment has gone well and he is now recovering Harley still wants to do something for the unit.

“I told Harley the teenage patients probably wouldn’t want his toys. He then decided he wanted to do the Great North Run and has been practicing most days with a run around the fields near our house.”

Harley will take part in the 1.5km mini run for three to eight-year-olds on Saturday, September 6.

He initially wanted to raise £150 but after setting up a Just Giving page, donations quickly flooded in to more than £375.

Mrs Latcham said: “We have increased the target a couple of times now and now we are hoping to get £500.”

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/Harley-Latcham/.