Three months ago 11 year old Tynedale Harrier, Alicia Armstrong, was diagnosed with leukaemia and started an intensive course of chemotherapy at Newcastle’s RVI. Only weeks earlier Alicia had placed in the top 60 in the country in her age category for swimming and running combined at the UK Schools championships in London. As I’m sure you can imagine it has been a harrowing experience for Alicia and her family, and will continue to be for some time. Alicia is now in remission but requires a bone marrow transplant to hopefully ensure that the leukaemia never comes back.

The operation is currently scheduled to take place during the week leading up to the Great North Run. Alicia and her mum Maria recognise that such innovative methods of cancer treatment would not be possible without the research that has been undertaken by NECCR since its inception in 1979. The charity has raised over six million pounds since it began and has established the North of England as one of the world leaders in the research and treatment of childhood cancer. NECCR supports a whole team of doctors, scientists, statisticians and research nurses who work with the Children's Cancer Unit at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and Alicia is now benefiting directly from the research work done by NECCR.

This is not the typical case of trying to raise a minimum amount to secure a Great North Run number with a charity so large that no-one ever has any idea where the money is going. I’m doing this using my own number and I don`t have any outrageous fundraising target to hit. This is a genuine attempt to raise as much money as I possibly can for a North East based cancer charity whose work is having a direct impact on the lives of local children.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it's the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Please dig deep and give generously to help local children such as Alicia in their fight against childhood cancer. Every pound raised will make a huge difference.