Worksop sisters run marathon in aid of Aurora cancer support charity

Two Worksop sisters aged 9 and 11 are running a marathon over four days raising money for cancer support charity Aurora.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Lily and Summer Johnson will take on the challenge this weekend - running between six and seven miles during each session.

The girls are taking on the feat as part of mum Sarah Johnson’s fundraising campaign to help Aurora support children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sarah, 42, is currently awaiting surgery for her second mastectomy operation after being diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time.

Chris and Sarah Johnson with other runners supporting their Run The Wall campaignChris and Sarah Johnson with other runners supporting their Run The Wall campaign
Chris and Sarah Johnson with other runners supporting their Run The Wall campaign

PE teacher Sarah was due to run the length of Hadrian’s Wall - 90 miles coast-to-coast - this month until the Covid-19 pandemic had made it impossible.

However plucky youngsters Lily, 11, and Summer, 9, have been joined by scores of other runners across Worksop - who are completing ‘virtual legs’ of the 90-mile ordeal during May.

So far their combined efforts - during which they have clocked up about 2,000 miles a week - have raised between £4,000 and £5,000 for Sarah’s campaign - named Run The Wall.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking about the girls proud dad Chris Johnson, 42, said: “I think they’ll be fine.

Chris and Sarah Johnson with daughters Lily and SummerChris and Sarah Johnson with daughters Lily and Summer
Chris and Sarah Johnson with daughters Lily and Summer

“They’re both part of Worksop Harriers - but they’ve never strung this distance together before.

“It’ll be a big challenge for them to do it over four days but we’re going to run with them.”

Read More
Worksop’s Got Talent winners star in What A Wonderful World NHS tribute

Aurora Wellbeing Centres provide support for cancer patients - including counselling, support groups and workshops and beauty treatments and therapies.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chris, who is still planning on running 90 miles in four days, told how Run The Wall had now raised over £23,000 for charity.

However he and Sarah hope part of their cash gift will go towards creating a special support service for the children of those suffering with cancer.

Though the Hadrian’s Wall route had now been cancelled it is now scheduled to go ahead between May 29 and June 1 next year.

He said: “People are obviously disappointed that it was cancelled but everyone has been doing really well this month.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“People have been fantastic getting miles in and promoting their own events on social media.”

To donate to Run The Wall click HERE.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor