A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy has shared how he wants to “try and make a difference” by taking part in a fundraising race to support brain cancer research in honour of a close family member with an aggressive tumour.
Jacob Bochenska will join his mother, Jolanta, on the Marathon Mile in St Helier on 5 October.
He decided to take part in the race – which is part of the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon – after learning that a relative had been diagnosed last year with a grade 4 astrocytoma.
The pair are running in support of Bartek Mazur, the brother of Jolanta’s brother-in-law, who lives in Poland with his wife Monika and their three daughters.
“I want to raise money for Brain Tumour Research because Bartek is really sick, and I wanted to help him, and other people like him,” Jacob said.
“It makes me happy to try and make a difference, and I hope the money helps find a way to make people better.”
The Marathon Mile, sponsored by Jersey Development Company, starts at 10am at Weighbridge Place, using the same start and finish line as the main marathon and relay.
It follows a one-lap course through the streets of St Helier and is open to runners aged six and above.
Brain Tumour Research said brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer, yet receive only 1% of the national cancer research budget.
A spokesperson for the charity said the fundraiser “shines a light on the urgent need for more funding and awareness” and showed how “even the youngest members of our community can make a big difference”.
Donations can be made at sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/entry/1537926
