Bereaved mum runs Junior Great North Run with daughter in memory of son Alexander

Bereaved mum, Emma, whose son Alexander died from a life-limiting neurological disorder caused by an extremely rare mutation of the WWOX gene last November is calling on people to support #TeamAlexander in the AJ Bell Great North Run Sunday 7 September to raise funds for Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity.

Newcastle based Emma and her four-year-old daughter Bella are appealing to people to come along and support #TeamAlexander on the day and to donate if they are able to raise funds for families like theirs who are supported by Rainbow Trust. 

Emma says; “Alexander always wanted to be famous so this is a chance for us to fulfil his dream – let’s make Alexander famous!” 

The 13.1-mile race spanning Newcastle, South Shields and the North Sea coast, attracts approximately 57,000 runners each year including celebrities, wheelchair-racers and fun-runners and is filmed live on the BBC.    

Emma and Bella are taking part in the AJ Bell Mini Great North Run on Saturday 6th September for the second time. Last year Alexander joined them in the 1.5km dash helping to raise much needed funds for Rainbow Trust.   

The money raised from #TeamAlexander will help families like Emma’s who are supported by Rainbow Trust. The charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of their time together by pairing each family with an expert Family Support Worker who helps them at home, in hospital and in the community, for as long as it is needed. 

Oonagh Goodman, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Rainbow Trust, said: “The Great North Run is one of Rainbow Trust’s biggest events of the year and we are extremely grateful to Emma and Bella for fronting the appeal calling for people to support #TeamAlexander – come along on the day and cheer them on and make Alexander famous. And please click here to donate. All money raised from the event will enable families with a seriously ill child to make the most of the precious time they have together.”  

Rainbow Trust has nine care teams of Family Support Workers across England, including Newcastle and the North East, providing practical and emotional support to families at home, in hospital and in the community.  

For more information about The Great North Run and other fundraising events throughout the year click here or contact the events team at  events@rainbowtrust.org.uk or 01372 220031.