Sports-mad youngster is walking 500 miles for charity

An active youngster who loves all things sport is walking 500 miles over summer to help raise vital funds for a cancer charity. 

Ten-year-old James Leah, who lives in the Guide Bridge area, is walking all over Tameside with his mum Jo to support Cancer Research UK to “help other people and kick cancer’s butt!” 

By the time he starts Year 6 at Poplar Street Primary School in Audenshaw in September, James hopes to have completed his challenge for the summer holiday and achieved his target of £1,000 for the national charity which raises awareness of cancer and pioneers life-saving research. 

James’s mum Jo, who is a Teaching Assistant at Barlow Hall Primary School in Chorlton, told the Reporter: “Over the last few years, James has become more aware of cancer - both from hearing about it on TV and sadly the impacts on family and friends’ lives. 

“Following an advertisement on TV for Cancer Research, he asked me if he could raise money to help. I walk daily and had just updated my fitness tracker and had passed on my old one to him, so I suggested walking 500 miles over the summer holidays.” 

James is already an extremely active boy - he’s captain of his football team Stockport Cosmos and is wicket-keeper and opening batsman for Ashton Cricket Club. He has also recently been selected to play for Tameside District Under-11s. 

James donning his cricket whites. 

Jo added: “Both his dad Paul and I are extremely proud of him, more so now that he wants to use his passion to help others.

“At the moment, we have walked locally making use of Tameside’s amazing canals and parks but over the summer holidays, we plan to explore further afield with the many friends and family members who have kindly volunteered to join us.” 

After starting his challenge last week, James has so far raised over £700. If you would like to donate, visit his Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-jo. 

Some of James's school friends and walking companions. 

Main image:

James and Jo on one of their walks near Portland Basin in Ashton.