A brave Gatley girl who is battling leukaemia has teamed up with Coronation Street stars to help raise funds for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital at the inaugral Moon Rise Run.
Charlotte Jennings, 12, suffers from a rare form of acute myeloid leukaemia and has inspired actresses Brooke Vincent and Hayley Tamaddon to sign up for the 5km challenge that will be held at Heaton Park on Saturday April 18 .
Despite her condition, Charlotte is showing incredible resilience and will be on the start line next month alongside her mum and three friends.
“I’m really looking forward to the Moon Rise run – there are lots of people from the hospital who are going to be taking part,” she said.
POSITIVE AND INSPIRING: Brooke Vincent said Charlotte really brings home why she support this charity
“It is something new and it’s a great way for people to raise money for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity.”
This is just the next step for Charlotte who has already risen over £3,000 for the charity through her Just Giving page after spending over four consecutive months receiving treatment at the hospital.
This has included intensive chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants and specialist UV light therapy.
INCREDIBLE RESILIENCE: Charlotte knows first-hand what a difference the money raised by the run will make
‘I’ll be raising money for the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the hospital where I spent a lot of time following my transplant,” she said.
“My aim is to purchase entertainment equipment to keep young patients busy when they are in isolation for such a long period of time.
“I know first-hand what a difference it will make.”
Charlotte was given the treat of a lifetime last month, when she was invited by Brooke Vincent to take a tour of the Corrie set.
Brooke, who plays Sophie Webster in the soap, is a patron of the hospital and has been touched by the 12-year-old’s courage.
FUN AND FITNESS: There will be a post-run festival with glow sticks, live bands, food and a bar
The actress said: “Meeting patients like Charlotte really brings home why I support this charity.
“She is such a positive and inspiring young woman and I hope to see her at the run in April.”
Heaton Park will take on a new look during the event with bespoke lighting adorning the course and glow sticks handed out to all participants.
A post-race festival will also follow the run with live bands, food and a bar.
Hayley Tamaddon, who plays Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street, said: “Combining fun and fitness after dark sounds like a great experience and I think it’s fantastic when anyone chooses the North to debut a new event.
“Hopefully a gang of us from the street will be there to see Heaton Park transformed.”
You can purchase Moon Rise Run tickets by clicking here.
You can also support Charlotte and donate through her Just Giving page by clicking here.
