January 1, 2026 – January 31, 2026

Run 31 Miles in January

Name: Run 31 Miles in January
Start: 2025-09-01
Location: Run 31 Miles in January

Leukaemia is the most common cancer in children, affecting 31% of 0-14-year-olds in the UK.

By signing up today and running just one mile a day this January, you will help fund life-saving childhood cancer research whilst raising awareness and creating a sense of solidarity with those impacted.

Join here

Wherever you are
January 1, 2026 – January 31, 2026
080 0222 9000
[email protected]

What to expect from Children with Cancer UK

A free Children with Cancer UK running T-shirt upon registering for the challenge before 07th January 2026
A virtual thank you certificate as a token of our appreciation for your fundraising
If you raise £150 or more, you will receive an exclusive medal to celebrate your achievement

Childhood leukaemia

Children with Cancer UK has supported families over the last 38 years, having been officially inaugurated as Children with Leukaemia on the 12th January 1988.

Leukaemia (cancer of the white blood cells) affects 31% of 0-14-year-olds in the UK. The likelihood of a relapse progressively decreases with time, particularly once maintenance treatment is completed. Below, we want to share the stories of Thomas, Isla-Mae, and Theo, following their journeys from cancer diagnosis to treatment and beyond.

By running 31 miles in January, you will not only be raising awareness of childhood leukaemia and cancer, but also creating a sense of solidarity with those we support who are impacted by leukaemia and cancer.

Thank you to Thomas, Isla-Mae and Theo’s families for allowing us to share their stories.

Thomas

Thomas was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia on 4 May 2022 when he was just two years old.

The first part of his two-year treatment plan was very intense: in and out of hospital, with many procedures that had to be done under general anaesthetic and a lot of chemotherapy. However, Thomas took it in his stride and smiled throughout it all. Now, a year after the end of treatment, Thomas is in Year 1 in primary school and is thriving.

As Natalie, Thomas’ mum, said,

Thomas is still having regular appointments at a local hospital and is doing really well health wise. He is now a big brother to his sister Phoebe and is loving his new role!

Read Thomas’ story here

Isla-Mae

Isla-Mae was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2020 at the age of just two.

Isla-Mae’s early symptoms started with spots and bruising all over her body. On the 4th May 2020, she was rushed to hospital, where, after seven hours of tests, she was diagnosed with leukaemia.

After a lot of surgery, tests, blood transfusions and chemotherapy, Isla-Mae rang the bell in September 2022. Whilst she is still in and out of the hospital, she loves school, her family and friends, being able to go back to her family villa in Spain, as well as going to the family caravan in Mablethorpe.

Reece, Isla-Mae’s dad, said,

As parents, this will never leave you, the panic if it comes back. If there’s a mark on any of our children’s bodies, we check it.

When they are ill, when they have a temperature, we go through a panic. But with having 4 beautiful, loving children, you have to keep strong and try to keep positive.

Read Isa-Mae’s story here

Theo

Theo was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in July 2021 when he was just three years old.

Six days after diagnosis, Theo began his chemotherapy treatment. He went from being a happy, funny, boisterous little boy to being quiet, sad and angry at times. However, no matter how rough Theo was feeling, he just got on with it. He never let it get to him; he smiled every day, and he was definitely the one keeping his parents strong.

Theo finished treatment in September 2024 after 3.5 years of daily chemotherapy. He has gone to school full-time now for the first time since starting reception and has also joined a football team, which he loves.

Luisa, Theo’s mother, said,

The worry never ever leaves and we never take a single day for granted but seeing Theo doing normal every day things truly is a blessing.

Read Theo’s Story here

Your support will help fund research into effective, kinder and less frightening treatments for children and young people with cancer. Around 4,200 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK, and we’ve been working tirelessly since 1988 to fund research and initiatives that support children and their families through their cancer journey.

Join with your own place

By signing up and running one mile a day this January, you will help fund life-saving childhood cancer research.

Join our Run 31 Miles in January Challenge

Where your money goes

Every contribution is carefully allocated to fund critical research, provide essential resources to families, and drive greater awareness.

Cancer diagnoses

Every day, around 10 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer.

New treatments

8 out of 10 young cancer patients can now receive successful treatment, thanks to the specialist research we help fund.

Safer therapies

We are committed to developing safer and more effective childhood cancer treatments with fewer toxic side effects.

Funding research

We invest in crucial childhood cancer research that would otherwise go unfunded.

Fighting childhood cancer
Research	44p
Supporting Families	15p
Raising Awareness	21p