CEO of Cure Leukaemia, James McLaughlin, Conquers 224-Mile Challenge Across 16 Locations.

James McLaughlin, CEO of Cure Leukaemia, has completed an incredible 224 miles across 16 locations during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, raising an impressive £85,000 so far, to help fund vital research in the fight against blood cancer. After two weeks of running and on the road James crossed the final finish line at Manchester Children’s Hospital on 25th September, after burning through 42,504 calories and taking 449,879 steps— the equivalent of running nine marathons! This achievement will contribute to the funding of Cure Leukaemia’s research nurses, who play a critical role in the care of the 250,000 people living with blood cancer in the UK.

James kicked off his journey at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on 9th September, then visited an additional 15 key locations across the country, averaging 14 miles per run. The 14-mile distance symbolised the fact that every 14 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer.

Along the way, James engaged and ran with local communities, patients, clinicians, and supporters at each hospital, raising awareness and funds with each step. James also endured two particularly challenging isolation legs, in London and from Leeds to Sheffield. These stages were designed to reflect the mental and physical struggles faced by patients undergoing treatment in isolation. After completing the 33-mile leg to Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, James remarked, “I knew it was going to be tough, but not that tough.”

The grand finale in Manchester wasn’t just about crossing the finish line. The evening also marked the launch of the world’s first Paediatric Transplant Trials Network, ATICUS Network (Accelerating Trials in Children Undergoing Stem Cell Transplant). This pioneering collaboration involves 11 leading UK children’s hospitals and aims to revolutionize access to clinical trials for children battling blood cancer.

Cure Leukaemia extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who supported Run The Nations 2024:

  • Donors: Every single penny donated, no matter how big or small, has made a difference in reaching this remarkable milestone.
  • Runners: Over 60 participants joined James at different locations, tackling full stages or 5km loops alongside him.
  • Sponsors: A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting James through each stage of his run and for sponsoring the running shirts that accompanied him every step of the way.

Help Us Hit £100,000!

There’s still time to contribute and help us reach our £100,000 fundraising target. If you’d like to donate to Run The Nations 2024, visit our JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/runthenations