Radcliffe mum loses eight stone to take on 10K for friend’s six-year-old who has battled two cancers

A Radcliffe mum has lost eight stone this year to run the Bury 10K to help raise funds for a friend’s daughter who has battled two cancers.

Jenny Toole, 31, a full-time carer to her son Kristian Ince, 6, weighed 21 stone when she was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia just before Christmas last year.

She said: ‘I realised I need to lose weight once and for all – for myself and for my son. It had crept on since my pregnancy and while it has gone up and down a bit, I put on even more during covid.’

‘I didn’t follow a specific diet plan but simply cut out loads of things, eat a high protein diet and keep a close eye on calories, carbs and fats.’

‘In April I started running and joined a gym, where I have a fantastic personal trainer. I decided to sign up to the Bury 10K to give me more motivation but also to help Elizabeth, who is an amazing child – no one should have to go through everything she’s gone through, especially at such a young age. She’s the bravest child I’ve ever met.’

Elizabeth Grundy, 6, from Wythenshawe is believed to be only one of four children ever worldwide to have been diagnosed both neuroblastoma and acute lymphoblastic (ALL) leukaemia.

The brave youngster was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma at just ten days old, and underwent chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell harvesting, seven operations and countless transfusions before she was 18 months old.

She also endured meningitis and sepsis and was left deaf in both ears.

Then she and her family, Mum Chelsea Carter, 38, and four elder siblings were dealt a further blow in May 2022 when she developed a limp and was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Now a wheelchair-user and largely tube-fed, Elizabeth is in the maintenance phase of the illness and her family hope she will be given the all-clear at the end of this year.

However, with neuroblastoma having an 80% chance of relapse and ALL around a 10 to 15% chance, her family are raising funds to allow Elizabeth to take part in a trial which could help prevent this.

Mum Chelsea said: ‘Initially we thought we needed to raise £127,000 for treatment in America. It’s now possible that there will be a UK trial, though it’s not definite and even if it happens, there will still be costs involved.’

‘Elizabeth has a lot to deal with but she’s also a superhero who loves swimming, drawing and being outside, and we want to give her the best chance possible.’

The Bury 10K will take place on October 1.

Elizabeth’s family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like Elizabeth with healthcare needs and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support while also providing donor reassurance.

Tree of Hope CEO Gill Gibb said: ‘We are delighted to be supporting the Carter family with their fundraising and wish Jenny the best of luck with her 10K challenge.’ 

To donate to Elizabeth’s fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/elizabeth-grundy/

For more information, images or to arrange interviews please contact Catherine Cooper on 00 33 5 61 69 57 89, 00 33 6 09 03 55 88 or mail@catherinecooper.net