Run raises thousands for children's cancer charity

The runners in Ilkley raised more than £13,000 for the Candlelighters charity

The father of an eight-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a brain tumour has praised the "brilliant" fundraisers who joined him for a charity marathon run.

Kyle Langenegger, from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, led 10 fellow parents in the off-road route around the town's moorland skyline on Saturday, raising more than £13,000 for children's cancer charity Candlelighters.

The charity has supported his family since his daughter Jessie was diagnosed five years ago.

The marathon runners ended Saturday's challenge in Ilkley Park, where Jessie and her friends completed a 1.6-mile (2.6km) fun run.

Kyle Langenegger's daughter Jessie was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2019

About 60 children joined the event, most of whom were either current or former pupils at Ben Rhydding Primary School.

Mr Langenegger said joining Jessie for her laps of the park was "the best finish I've ever had in a marathon".

"I jogged around the fun run route with her and all her friends came and cheered her on at the final bend," he said.

"One of her friends from the clinic came to join us for the run as well, which was really lovely."

Jessie read out a thank you speech to about 150 supporters in the park before the group held a celebratory picnic.

Mr Langenegger said: "Something I was passionate about was trying to get Jessie and her friends involved in the fundraising effort and the event."

Jessie helped to hand out medals at the finish line

The Ilkley Skyline Marathon and Riverside Gardens Challenge team hoped to exceed £15,000 in donations.

"Candlelighters was one of a number of charities that provided us with support and we wanted to do something to say thank you," Mr Langenegger said.

He said Jessie had undergone about 40 months of chemotherapy, with the family currently awaiting the results of an MRI scan to determine how her treatment will proceed.

One of those who ran the marathon was Lou McCallion, who has a daughter in Jessie's class.

"The run was pretty challenging with lots of hills, fog and bogs," she said.

"But knowing we were running for such an important cause and coming home to a park full of our friends and families made it all worth it."

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