Man from Ackworth raises over £5000 in running challenge to help young boy with neuroblastoma

Joe O'Brien had set himself the task of running 10 miles a day for 10 days to raise money to help Oliver Stephenson treatment for neuroblastoma

Joe O'Brien had set himself the task of running 10 miles a day for 10 days to raise money to help a little boy get treatment for neuroblastoma.

Four-year-old Oliver Stephenson was diagnosed in January and is undergoing treatment in hospital.

Next year Oliver will need treatment - called Bivalent vaccine - which costs £230,000 and is only available in the USA.

The atmosphere at the finishing line in Carr Bridge field was amazing, we had half of Ackworth down there cheering along with Daryl Powell and a few of the Castleford Tigers lads"

Joe, who lives in the same village, wanted to help Oliver’s family by raising funds to get the treatment he needs and began his running challenge on Monday June 1.]

Joe said: “We’ve raised well over £5,000, however we haven’t tallied the full amount up yet.

“The atmosphere at the finishing line in Carr Bridge field was amazing, we had half of Ackworth down there cheering along with Daryl Powell and a few of the Castleford Tigers lads.

“On the final day we raised around £601.62 just from coming back onto the field.

Joe O'Brien had set himself the task of running 10 miles a day for 10 days to raise money to help little Oliver get treatment for neuroblastoma

“It has been so memorable, when I arrived at the finish line people were either side cheering and clapping, it’s all been quite overwhelming.”

Throughout the 10 days Joe was accompanied by friend, Graham Phipps, who cycled at his side carrying refreshments.

The pair took on a different route through The Five Towns for each leg of their journey.

As the run continued members of the community who had heard of Joseph’s efforts decided to show their support by running and cycling alongside him.

Throughout the 10 days Joe was accompanied by friend, Graham Phipps, who cycled at his side carrying refreshments

Joe said: “ It just shows how kind people are, especially with what's going on with the pandemic.

“I couldn’t believe how much interest we generated, I felt like Forrest Gump with all these people running alongside me.

“At the finish line, people had come from all over The Five Towns to see us in and we’d even received donations from Russia, Ireland and America.

“I’ll never forget this experience, I want to keep it going so I’ve got a few street gigs coming up to raise more money for Oliver’s cause when the weather perks up.”

To donate to Oliver's cause click here