Lee Edmondson and his son Jamie, a 14-year-old who has recently finished treatment and is in remission, and Gary Brown, a childhood cancer survivor, have helped to raise essential funds which support children and young people with cancer across the North East and Cumbria by taking on the Great North Run and the Junior Great North Run this past weekend.
In May 2025, Jamie Edmondson was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Jamie and his dad, Lee, signed up to take part in the Great North Run weekend, after Jamie finished his treatment, which included four rounds of chemotherapy. He is currently having regular check-ups at the Great North Children’s Hospital and is now in remission.
Lee participated in the half marathon on Sunday while Jamie completed the 4k in the Junior Great North Run on Saturday.
Last week, we asked Jamie about the upcoming Junior Great North Run and how he was feeling about it. Here’s what Jamie had to say;
“I’m really looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere on Saturday and I’m feeling positive about running the 4k route.
“I chose to raise money for Children’s Cancer North to help children living with cancer. I want to help fund the activities that children can take part in on the wards as well as the short breaks that they offer for families.”
Our support for young people and families who are affected by childhood cancer includes a Family Support Fund payment which helps with the increased costs associated with a young person being diagnosed with cancer; activities such as yoga, music therapy and animation sessions on Wards 4 and 14 at the Great North Children’s Hospital which boost mental wellbeing and support movement during treatment; and family breaks to Center Parcs in Cumbria which offer a much needed respite for families whose children have been in treatment.
We also caught up with Jamie after completing the Junior Great North Run, and it sounds like he had an absolutely fantastic time on the course at Newcastle Quayside!
Jamie told us;
“I absolutely loved the day and can’t wait to do it again in 2027!”
In addition to the Junior Great North Run, Jamie has been keenly involved in sharing his biological samples and data with VivoBank to help further research into childhood cancer. As one of Children’s Cancer North’s three pillars, research is something that we are incredibly proud to help fund at Newcastle University and Jamie’s generous and thoughtful donation will help research teams across the country to discover kinder treatments for young people, which have fewer side effects on their developing bodies.
Gary Brown, who received a cancer diagnosis at 19, is now 50 years old and wanted to give back to children and young people like himself but who are currently receiving treatment for their cancer.
In 1995, Gary was studying Maths at Newcastle University when he became very unwell. He went to his family doctor who thought it was just the student lifestyle, but when he did not start getting better, he returned to the doctor and was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, stage 3B.
Gary said;
“It was a scary time getting used to blood transfusions, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But when I saw smaller children around me, it inspired me to get better. I did and was able to return to university in the September of 1996.”
With no previous connection to our charity, we asked Gary why he had chosen Children’s Cancer North to support in the Great North Run.
He replied;
“In the past, I’ve fundraised for Breast Cancer Now and Teenage Cancer Trust. This year, I really want to help those children and their families who are going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment now, they are inspirational and I want to do all I can to help them.”
When asked before the event about how he felt taking on the challenge, he responded;
“I’m feeling ok about it although I have been away a lot over the summer and had a FEB problem (Full English Breakfast…) so I’m not expecting to be quick!
“What I’m most looking forward to about the day is the incredible crowd, the last mile, and meeting the Children’s Cancer North team!”
Thank you to Jamie, Gary and Lee who have taken part in the 2026 Great North Run events over the weekend. Your dedication, generosity and strength in the lead up to and during this challenge is truly an inspiration and we as a charity are so grateful for everything that you have done to support us. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for helping us to make life better for children and young people with cancer in our region.
