A BUSINESSMAN who was inspired by a charity set up in memory of a boy who died from an aggressive childhood cancer has raised more than £8,400 after running the entire Teesdale Way in 24 hours.

James Carver, from Carvers Estate Agents, was moved to support the Team Luke Foundation after meeting Luke's dad Mark Bell, when supporting a friend raise money for the same charity.

Luke Bell, from Darlington, died aged eight from neuroblastoma in December 2018, just 21 months after his original diagnosis.

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The Team Luke Foundation aims make more people aware of neuroblastoma; help parents access key services and information; provide practical support; and fund research to improve diagnosis and develop kinder treatment.

James said: “Mark spoke so passionately about the foundation, and hearing about Luke’s positive attitude towards his treatment was so inspiring.

“When I was choosing a charity to support, it just had to be them. Mark has been incredible. He was part of the team supporting me in the run and got me over the finish line.

“It was very humbling when Mark gave me a hug and thanked me for supporting them. What the family are achieving with the charity is amazing after everything they have gone through.”

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The Teesdale Way starts in Dufton on the Cumbrian border, and makes its way along the River Tees via Cow Green Reservoir; Cauldren Snout, Low Force and High Force waterfalls; to Redcar beach at South Gare.

James added: “It was about 92 miles altogether – but I thought as I was so close to 100 miles I should get to that goal. They were the longest eight miles of my life!”

Mark Bell said: “We’re so grateful to James for taking on this challenge to raise money for us.

“Our main goal is to raise awareness of neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers, and to support families with information about what to expect. We also want to help bring together the charities that are there – when we were going through our journey, there were lots of charities we weren’t aware of, so we want to be able to signpost people to them and join them up.

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“One of the biggest things we are doing is investing in research at Cancer Research. We have pledged £15,000 a year to a role working on better diagnosis of children, and on bespoke treatments for children.

“What a lot of people don’t know is that children basically get watered-down versions of adult drugs, which can often cause more harm in their bodies.”

The foundation is currently promoting a poster campaign to help parents recognise the signs of children’s cancer – distributed in GP surgeries across Darlington in September, to coincide with Children’s Cancer Awareness Month.