In May 2022 my friend and colleague's son, Leonardo Dicorrado was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis.

His family are urgently fundraising for potentially lifesaving treatment that is currently not available through the NHS that they hope will get him back into remission. As Leonardo has relapsed neuroblastoma, his treatment options on the NHS have become more limited. Treatment could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. Follow Leonardo's story on social media.

Treating high-risk neuroblastoma successfully is particularly challenging. In Leonardo’s case, where his neuroblastoma has returned, options available for treatment on the NHS become more limited. Leonardo is currently receiving cycles of BIT chemotherapy to control the cancer and stop it from spreading. The family hope that once Leonardo completes BIT chemotherapy, he will be able to travel to Rome to be treated using CAR T cell therapy with the hope of getting back into remission.

https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/children/leonardo/

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/leonardoscampaign

I am not a runner. Well, not yet anyway. My aim, in support of Leo and Solving Kids' Cancer UK, is to run 843 miles and swim 50 miles between now and the end of the year (31 December 2023). That is the equivalent of running (and swimming) from London to Rome where Leo's next round of treatment needs to take place.

I don't plan to do it alone. I will be asking friends, family and colleagues to join me along the way on different days to support these amazing causes and I will be documenting the journey as we go.

I appreciate that times are tough so whatever you can do to support whether it is donating, joining a run or sharing on social media is so very much appreciated.