A GRANDFATHER walked 1,500 miles in less than a year to raise money for a charity which helped his granddaughter throughout her cancer treatment.

David Stanford, 70, from Weymouth was inspired to take on the challenge to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly CLIC Sargent), a charity which provides specialist support, to help and guide young cancer patients and their families.

On Saturday, June 26 David’s family, including granddaughter Aleesha, joined David by walking the final five miles of his year-long walking challenge, along Weymouth Harbour. As well as marking the end of his tremendous challenge, it was also the furthest Aleesha had walked since she was first diagnosed in 2019.

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Aleesha was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in October 2019, aged 13.

Throughout her treatment, Aleesha and her family were supported by Young Lives vs Cancer. While she was being treated at Southampton hospital, her family were able to stay for free in Jean’s House, which meant they could always be nearby. The accommodation provided by the charity allowed Aleesha to leave the hospital on Christmas Day and join her family for a special day together.

After months of treatment, Aleesha was told the good news that she was in remission in October 2020.

Inspired by the support his Granddaughter and family received throughout her treatment, David decided to do something to help raise money for the charity. He set himself the challenge of walking 1,500 miles in a year. Despite being out of action for a month due to being ill with Covid-19, he still managed to surpass the target and is now keen to keep going.

David said: “It’s been really difficult at times walking when it’s raining or freezing. I started off walking about 30 miles a week on average and recently doubled that.

“However tough I think it is, I just think of what my granddaughter had to go through and it motivates me to keep on walking. It’s actually done me the world of good, I didn’t walk much before and really love being outside now and plan on keeping on walking. I’m aiming to walk 3,000 miles now!

“Young Lives vs Cancer have been fabulous for my family and I want to raise funds and awareness for them as I know their fundraising has been really badly affected because of Covid-19. Without this charity, many families like mine would have had an even more horrific time and even more time apart than they did.”

Liz Blunt, Dorset senior fundraising engagement manager for Young Lives vs Cancer said: “It’s been great being in touch with David and his family since last year and hearing about his walking progress. The whole family are so supportive and most importantly, I am so pleased that Aleesha’s treatment went well.

“We are so grateful to David for raising almost £400 on his Just Giving page and no doubt more donations on the website because of his great challenge. We don’t receive any government funding for our vital service in providing practical, emotional and financial support for families of children and young people with cancer from our Social Workers team and Homes from Home like Jean’s House. Another huge thank you to David for his support.”

To make a donation you can visit David’s fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/David-Stanford4

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