Tipton cancer survivor set to take part in Pretty Muddy event
A young cancer survivor will follow in his mother's footsteps by taking part in a fundraising event.
In previous years eight-year-old Tom Griffiths has had to watch with envy as his mother Emma ploughed through mud pools, slipped down sludgy slides and squirmed under swampy scrambling nets at Cancer Research UK’s Pretty Muddy event.
But this year Tom – known to his mates as ‘Tommy G’ – was first in the queue when he heard that Race for Life was staging its first ever Pretty Muddy Kids.
The Tipton schoolboy said he can’t wait to emulate his mother and get covered in mud at the Pretty Muddy Kids event which is designed specifically for children.
The course includes child-friendly mud-based obstacles and is around 2km long.
Tom was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2013 at the age of four after complaining of persistent pains in his legs.
Chemotherapy treatment meant Tom missed around half of his reception year at Tividale Community Primary School, but the youngster made up for lost time when the intensive part of his treatment was over.
In July last year Tom finished his treatment and his family feel that life has returned to normal.
Emma, 42, said: “We thought we were going to lose him when we first heard the word ‘cancer’.
"But amazingly Tom went into remission after only four weeks of treatment and he’s never looked back. We’re now down to appointments every four months and life is great.
“He’s always been one for a bit of fun and he loves to get involved, so he was always desperate to join in when I did Race for Life Pretty Muddy in previous years.
"He was delighted when he heard about Pretty Muddy Kids – it will be my turn to stand on the sidelines as he has a whale of a time and hurls mud at me."
Emma will not be missing out though – she is taking part in the adult Race for Life Pretty Muddy event at Cofton Park in Longbridge later the same day.
Emma added: “Tom is really excited about taking part in the Pretty Muddy Kids event and having an excuse to get really, really muddy.
"We hope boys and girls across the region will join him at Pretty Muddy Kids.
"It’s a great opportunity to have fun while making a real difference in the fight against cancer.”
From scramble nets and space hoppers to mud chutes and a ‘Muddy Paws’ race, children will face a range of fun and muddy obstacles to crawl under, clamber over and charge through.
The Race for Life family of events also includes the traditional 5km Pretty Muddy adult course, which thousands of women will take part in at the same venue on July 15.
By taking part in Pretty Muddy Kids, children can have fun with friends and help raise valuable funds to beat cancer sooner at the same time.
Money raised will help Cancer Research UK scientists find new ways to treat cancer and save more lives.
Jane Redman, Cancer Research UK’s spokesman for the West Midlands, said: “We’re delighted that Cofton Park will be hosting one of our first Pretty Muddy Kids events.
"The obstacle course promises plenty of fun, thrills and spills and we hope children will rally their friends, family and schoolmates to sign up and take on the challenge.
“Race for Life events are not competitive and children can complete the Pretty Muddy Kids course at their own pace, climbing, jumping, walking and laughing their way around.
"Whether they plan to wade their way through the mud or make a big splash, every muddy step they take will help to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”
To enter Race for Life Pretty Muddy Kids visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
