10-Year-Old Runs Daily 2km to Honor Brother, Fundraise for Sick Children

In remembrance of his late baby brother, a young boy is undertaking a daily 2km run leading up to Christmas. Harry, aged 10 and residing in Salisbury, aims to collect a minimum of £1,000. This sum is intended for buying presents for ill children, similar to his brother Reuben, who passed away on 20 December 2021 due to PIGB, a rare genetic condition. This condition is characterized by complications such as developmental disorders, seizures, and nerve damage. Harry expressed his belief, stating: “I think Reuben would be proud of me and I think if he was here, he would try to do the running with me.” Harry intends to complete a run daily until Christmas Day, acknowledging the physical challenges but asserting his commitment to try his “hardest to do all the runs.” He further elaborated on the difficulties, stating: “When I’m running my legs start to hurt and then I have to wake up in the morning for school. Sometimes I run or walk to school and I have football in the evening so it’s a bit hard but I can do it.” Among his planned routes, Harry intends to run to Stonehenge on a specific day. He noted the strong support received from his classmates and teachers at school. He shared their reactions: “I told the class I’m doing the challenge and my friends really respect me for doing it. “My teacher said to me she’s going to bring some presents in.” Having successfully completed the Three Peaks Challenge in 2023, Harry expressed his intention to continue with fundraising endeavors, including a future aspiration to climb Kilimanjaro. He reflected on his brother, stating: “Reuben was a really nice boy and he always smiled a lot. “I used to have a song that made him laugh all the time. “It’s to help Reuben’s legacy to continue,” he added. Harry conveyed his hope that collecting funds to provide presents for ill children would “really held them have a good Christmas.” His mother, Sophie, commented: “Christmas is a difficult time of year, especially as Reuben passed away five days before, but what brings us lots of joy is that Harry gives back to lots of other poorly children.” For further updates, connect with BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story submissions can be sent via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available.