Two Biddulph women are preparing to take on a challenging 10km run in the latest fundraising effort for a local 2-year-old boy who is sadly suffering from leukaemia.

Biddulph Nub News reported previously how how Harry Saunders, who attends Happy Hours Nursery in Biddulph and is an identical twin alongside his brother George, was unfortunately diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

A crowdfunding page on JustGiving was set up for Harry, and in an amazing display of support from local residents it raised thousands.

Many local businesses and residents also held their own fundraisers to raise money for Harry, with one of the standouts being a huge raffle with tons of prizes being donated.

Now Natalie Berrisford and her friend Amy are hoping to raise enough money for the Saunders family to be able to take Harry on their dream holiday - and hope to do so by taking on the tough Alderley Edge Bypass 10km run in May.

We spoke to Natalie more about her fundraising and why she is raising money for Harry and his family.

Read our interview below...

How do you know Harry and his family and what made you decide to take on the fundraising challenge? "I first heard about Harry's diagnosis when it was posted on my son's nursery's (Happy Hours Biddulph) Facebook page as they attend the same nursery. I didn't know the family or Harry but my son was in the same room as Harry and his twin brother. I could never imagine being in their situation and the only thing I knew I could do was to try and help with a fundraiser or raffle to help the family while Katie and Ryan (Harry's parents) were off work. "Katie called me in tears when she found out what I was doing and she was so grateful. We talk all the time now! "The raffle was a huge success and I raised around £2,600 with the help of so many generous donations from the local companies."

Why did you decide to do a run to raise money - do you enjoy running and do you have any experience?

"Experience? No! Drive? Yes! If I set my mind to something I make sure I do it and it's for such a great cause, we have said even if we crawl over the finish line we have done it for Harry and his family!

"The run was mentioned by one of my friends at dance exchange our local dance class, I just knew if I was going to complete the run who I'd like to raise the funds for.

"I then mentioned it to my friend Amy at work who agreed with gritted teeth to join me!

"Amy is like me. She doesn't run and if she's running that's probably a good reason that you should start running too! We're looking to challenge ourselves and get out of our comfort zone (and also out in the freezing cold temperatures!)

"We have now started started couch to 5k to work our way up to 10k."

How is Harry doing and how much would it mean to the family to be able to take him on a holiday? "Christmas was really hard. They were all looking forward to a big Christmas day with all their family but they had to isolate due to having Covid. Daddy went to check Harry's temperature and he was really poorly so was rushed into hospital on Christmas eve night, they were devastated. "However the ward worked their magic and Harry was given ward release so made it home for Christmas morning. He had to go back on Christmas Day evening for more antibiotics. More days passed and they were looking forward to a New Year's Eve party with family, however Harry got another temperature and this time was admitted for three days. He is now doing so well and is loving being back at nursery for some much needed fun like a 'normal' two year old."

Do you know what sort of holiday they would most like to go on?

"Holidays abroad are not allowed until Harry finishes treatment which will be Autumn 2024, so I know the family are dreaming of taking all three boys to Lapland to see Santa. Harry and George (the twins) will be five and Ollie (their big brother) will be seven, so the perfect age and the perfect way to celebrate the end of treatment."

Do you have any target for how much you would like to raise? What would you say to encourage people to donate, and how can people donate? "We're hoping to raise £500 as a minimum but we'd like to raise as much as we possibly can! It really doesn't matter if it's 20p or £20! Any donation big or small will contribute to this fundraiser." The fundraiser is already going strong with £135 raised so far on the JustGiving page. If you would like to donate then please CLICK HERE.

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