Sports-mad youngster walks 500 miles for cancer charity

An active youngster who loves all things sport has completed an epic challenge of walking 500 miles over summer to help raise over £1,400 for a cancer charity.

Ten-year-old James Leah, who lives in the Guide Bridge area, took in some picturesque locations across the country along the way with his mum Jo to support Cancer Research UK to “help other people and kick cancer’s butt!”

James had set a target of raising £1,000 over his summer holidays for the national charity, which raises awareness of cancer and pioneers life-saving research.

As he settles in to his final year at Poplar Street Primary School in Audenshaw, the Year 6 pupil has achieved what he set out to do – and his parents are filled with pride.

James’s mum Jo, who is a Teaching Assistant at Barlow Hall Primary School in Chorlton, told the Reporter: “Myself and dad Paul are extremely proud of James. I walked with him for the entire 500 miles and he completed it with a smile on his face.

“Most days, this meant walking 8-10 miles and even when the weather wasn’t very nice, he showed resilience and determination not to let down the many kind people who had sponsored him.

“Over the last few weeks, we have visited some wonderful locations including Scarborough’s beautiful sea front and Loe Bar, Helston, Cornwall. Locally, we were joined by friends and family and enjoyed covering a few miles at Dove Stone Reservoir and Chorlton Water Park. James particularly enjoyed walking to Manchester city centre for a visit to the Arndale Centre (to spend my money!)

“We completed our final 12 miles walking from The Lowry, Salford Quays, past Old Trafford and Lancashire Cricket Club through Stretford, Chorlton and Didsbury before getting the tram back at Parrs Wood to Ashton-under-Lyne.”

James outside Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium 

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

Jo says that James, who turns 11 at the start of October, has really enjoyed being back at school and his summer challenge has really helped his fitness. He is also very thankful for everyone who has supported him.

She said: “His walking has built stamina and his performance in cricket and football has improved greatly. As a Young Ambassador for Tameside, he hopes to inspire, encourage and support other children in his school when it comes to sport.

“James said that he really enjoyed the challenge of walking 500 miles, especially when he got to walk somebody’s dog! He’s extremely grateful to the kind people who have donated money, wished him well and joined him on his walks and that he hopes the money that he’s raised will help find a cure for cancer.”

With some cash donations to add, James has raised a fantastic amount for Cancer Research and it’s not too late to support his challenge. His JustGiving page will be open until the end of September and you can visit it here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-jo.

James visited as far as Scarborough and Cornwall during his challenge 

Main image:

James with mum Jo during one of their walks.