AN INSPIRING schoolboy is taking on a marathon this weekend in memory of his dad, who tragically died at the age of 42, one week after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Arthur Woodend, 10, who goes to Dursley Primary Academy is walking 26.5 miles along the Jurassic Coast with his mum Katie Jenkins as well as five other families.
Last year, Arthur’s dad Mike died on May 26, just days after turning 42.
Mike's death also came just seven days after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after he complained of abdominal pain.
Now Arthur along with his friends are hoping to raise an ambitious £5,000 through the challenge for Pancreatic Cancer UK.
It is hoped money will be raised for research into early detection and treatments for pancreatic cancer.
Arthur’s mum, Katie said: “We are all still reeling from Mike's loss almost a year on.
“He was so loved and is missed by all who knew him, none more so than Arthur, who wishes that no other families should have to go through what we have.
“Arthur loved to go on walks with his dad, and although Mike was a very proud Devonian by birth, Dorset's Jurassic Coast has a special place in our hearts after a family holiday there in 2021.
“With pancreatic cancer, silence is deadly. It’s a disease that gets too little attention and funding and far too many people are dying.
“Half of people diagnosed die within three months. For Mike it was just one week.
“We are raising money for research into early detection and better treatments for pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly common cancers.
“Eighty per-cent of people, like Mike, are also diagnosed far too late, and receive the devastating news that nothing can be done for them.
“Yet only two per cent of the current UK cancer research funding is spent on it.
"We can help change this.
“The link to our fundraising page attached if any readers would like to help us reach our £5,000 target.”
The two-day route will take the group from Seaton on Saturday, April 29 and will eventually end in Abbotsbury on Sunday, April 30.
The fundraisers will stop at a caravan site halfway before finishing.
The group includes Arthur and Katie and their friends: Fletch, Charlie, Helen, Oscar, Ollie, Lottie, Harry, Andy, Spoon, Matilda and Rufus as well as James, Caz, Layla, Lou, Roger and Lilah.
You can donate to Arthur’s Jurassic Coast marathon challenge here - https://tinyurl.com/yc6kb292
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