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Dad's marathon challenge for brave sam
Limbering up to back those who helped son with brain tumour
A devoted dad is limbering up to run this year's London Marathon to raise money for the charities who helped his son recover from a brain tumour.
Paul Bat ty, 36, is readying himself for the gruelling 26-mile course on April 13, but says he is just grateful his eight-year-old son is still alive to watch him cross the finishing line.
Samuel was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2006 after a routine eye examination.
After several operations, chemotherapy and 31 days of radiotherapy at Addenbrooke's Hospital, he is now recovering and has rejoined classes at Willington Lower School.
Mr Batty and his wife Angelina, 34, now want to raise as much money as possible for Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust and children's cancer charity Clic Sargent.
Mrs Batty said: "We have already had an amazing response. In three days we got 3,000 in sponsorship and we have now got around 5,000.
"Samuel has got through the whole treatment, which many children do not get through and can have severe side-effects from the radiotherapy.
"It has been a huge success story really. Children can go through this type of treatment for three or four years. It has only been 16 months for Samuel and, while it has been very hard, we got through it with support.
"We were able to stay at Acorn House, which is next to Addenbrooke's, and the Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust offered financial support during and after treatment."
She added: "This is a huge challenge for Paul as he has never done anything like this before. People do not know how to help when you're going through something like this and I think people are enjoying being able to do something more by donating."
Mr Batty is running the marathon with his sister-in-law Sally-Ann Pluck, 36, who is travelling from her home in France to join the fundraising team.
He said: "The marathon is easily the biggest physical challenge of my life.
"My one big motivation however is to remember the bravery of my son and all the other amazing children who have to go through extreme challenges on a daily basis in trying to beat this disease."
Samuel had his last dose of chemotherapy on New Year's Eve last year and a recent scan showed the tumour had gone.
Mrs Batty said Samuel's sisters Emily, six, and 14-month-old Lucy had been a huge support to him during his treatment.
The mother-of-three is now organising a ladies' day for her friends to raise more cash for the two charities.
Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Batty can visit www.just
giving.com/paulbatty
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Friday 25 May 2012
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