'˜I'm running so others don't have to suffer like Grandma'

An apprentice construction manager is set to pound the pavement in his first charity run in support of his grandma battling a rare cancer.
Elliott Atherton, 21, from Adlington right will take part in the Great Manchester Run in support of his grandmaElliott Atherton, 21, from Adlington right will take part in the Great Manchester Run in support of his grandma
Elliott Atherton, 21, from Adlington right will take part in the Great Manchester Run in support of his grandma

Elliot Atherton, 21, from Adlington will compete in the Great Manchester Run on May 22 on behalf of the Chordoma Foundation.

Elliott was inspired to do his bit for the charity after his grandma Dorothy England was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumour, a debilitating cancer which has caused her to lose the use of her legs.

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Elliott said: “My grandma was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumour over 10 years ago, aged 58, and I have seen this very debilitating disease gradually take the use of my grandma’s legs.

“So I am now running for the Chordoma Foundation to help raise money so that others don’t have to go through what my grandma has.

“This is a very rare condition in comparison to other cancers and needs much more research to be done.”

There were only six reported cases of the disease when Dorothy was first diagnosed.

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Elliott wants to raise £1,000 to put towards raising awareness and further research into the disease.

Elliott, who is studying 
on day-release at university, added: “‘I have always wanted to do a run of some sort for charity but have never really known what to raise money for.

“I saw the Great Manchester Run advertised on the TV and just thought right I am going to do it as I now have something that is so personal to myself.

“The training is hard as I have never been a very good runner but is getting slightly easier every night.”

Elliott will be supported on the day by his parents and brother

To donate to Elliott’s cause https://www.justgiving/Elliot-Atherton.