A SEVEN-year-old who beat cancer has inspired his teachers to take on a very muddy fundraising challenge to help save more lives.
Jasper Johnson, from Allbrook, will be cheering on a team from Colden Common Primary School during Cancer Research UK's Pretty Muddy on Southampton Common on July 22, as well as taking on the mud-spattered junior obstacle course with a group of friends.
Jasper, whose story features in race packs, hopes it will encourage more people to take part and raise vital funds for research.
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He said: "We need more medicines so that every time someone gets poorly like me, they can go and get a cure for it. Now, I’m much better and I can go to school and see my friends."
After experiencing months of excruciating tummy pain and weight loss, Jasper was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma last January. After recovering from major surgery, he received chemotherapy which Cancer Research UK helped to develop.
Mum Brenda said: "You go through a pretty shocking time. You never think that you’d be in a situation like that. Just to know that there is a treatment available and to be told that he had a 98 per cent chance of recovering makes the burden a little lighter.
"The fact Jasper’s teachers are now taking part in Pretty Muddy to help the cause makes me feel really emotional. They were the most incredible support while he was poorly and as he returned to school."
Pretty Muddy team leader and Jasper’s headteacher, Frances Hardy, added: "Jasper has been really inspirational to all of us as it was a tough journey from diagnosis all the way through. We’ve lived that with the family so the reason behind supporting this is heartfelt.
“When we had the news that he was given the all-clear, it was just absolute joy. But we need to help raise the money to support all the families that go through cancer and whose journeys are much longer."
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year.
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
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