Runners across Fermanagh will be competing in a special fundraising 10K later this month to mark September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The Irvinestown 10K is being organised by Ultimate Health and Fitness and Spar in the town and they have chosen Clic Sargent as their charity partner because local girl, Tilly Walker(5) has undergone cancer treatment.

Tilly started P2 at Irvinestown Primary School this week, despite long periods of treatment during the past year.

However her father, Gordon, says she is much better now although she has to travel to Belfast for occasional scans.

Tilly was diagnosed with cancer at the age of two.

“It’s been a rough few years but she’s getting on well now,” said Gordon from Lack.

“Tilly likes cycling and she’s out on her bike and she also loves animals, especially dogs.” Tilly received radiation treatment at Belfast City Hospital but also attends the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.

Last year, Tilly had to undergo treatment each day for seven weeks, travelling the 85 miles daily when she could for appointments in Belfast for 8.30am and back in school for around 10.30am.

“It was important we kept a normal routine,” explained Gordon. He and his wife, Evelyn also have two sons, Dara(13) and Jordan(11). Occasionally the Walkers have used CLIC Sargent’s residential accommodation in Belfast designed for families who live a long way from either of the two main hospitals in Belfast.

Now the charity is spearheading its “Homes from Home” service which will have two new homes, each within walking distance from the Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast City Hospital and which will relieve the strain on families who face the long distance of travel while their child is undergoing treatment. The Homes from Home Appeal is a £3.7 million capital project and the opening of Paul’s House marked the completion of the first phase of the Appeal.

With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the aim is to raise awareness of the impact of childhood cancer and of CLIC Sargent’s work supporting young cancer patients and their families.

This year, CLIC Sargent is asking people to wear a gold ribbon to show they are standing by the thousands of families coping with the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment.