FAMILY AFFAIR – Callum Moore has signed-up his soon-to-be step-dad Chris Moore and mum Emily Edwards for this year’s 10K race in the Bournemouth Marathon
After announcing he wanted to run in last year’s Bournemouth Marathon for charity, plucky nine- year-old Callum Moore is set to run again – and this time he’s signed-up his parents too.
Callum, from Poole, will be taking part in the junior 2K event of this year’s marathon, raising funds for Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF), which gives grants to help local cancer sufferers and their families.
The Baden Powell School pupil ran the shorter 1.5K race last year after reading about the charity and vowing to help.
His mum Emily Edwards, 29, and soon-to-be step-dad Chris Moore, 33, were there on the sideline cheering him on as he ran the course in seven minutes 58 seconds and raised £230 in sponsorship.
But this year Callum has challenged them to step up too – and both will be taking part in the 5K race.
Mum Emily said: “When Callum said he wanted to run last year, nothing was going to stop him. So we got right behind him and were really proud of what he achieved.
“But this year he’s decided we need to do our bit for the DCCF too and so here we are.
“Of course we don’t mind really. DCCF is a great, local charity, doing fantastic work for poorly people – and at least he isn’t making us do the 10K!”
The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation was set up in 2012 by a group of local people to provide practical help for people and families affected by cancer.
Every penny raised by the charity stays in Dorset and helps fund individual grants for anything from a new specialist bed, to a wig following chemotherapy, childcare for someone undergoing treatment and even hospital car parking.
Callum said: “A lot of people get cancer and they need help, so I want to help the DCCF because they do really nice things to help people with cancer.
“I like running and this year I want to beat my last year’s time and raise £350.
“I am glad my mum and Chris are running too. They are both really fit.
“I”m also thinking of signing up some of Chris’s workmates and I hope other people will read this and run for DCCF too.”
The Bournemouth Marathon is made up of six events – the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and two junior events of 2K and 1.5K – taking place over October 3 and 4, with various start places and times.
DCCF Chairman, Chris Thomas, who is himself running the 10k and 5k races said: “We’re thrilled that Callum is running for us again this year and that he’s also inspiring others to do so.
“We are offering to pay the registration fee for people willing to run for us this year. All they have to do is raise a specified amount of sponsorship. So if you’re impressed by Callum, why not join him and sign up too?”
