A RUNNING group are gearing up for a 175-mile relay race after being inspired by a courageous four-year-old’s cancer fight.

The parents of Hannah Graham, Paul and Jayne, said their world “fell apart” when they were given the devastating news that their daughter had leukaemia at the age of just two.

“In the following weeks and months Hannah's tiny body struggled to cope with the intensive chemotherapy needed to rid her body of this terrible disease,” they said.

“We watched as her body grew weaker and weaker and we lost sight of our bubbly, confident and funny little girl.

“We have come a long way since those dark days and although Hannah's treatment is still ongoing, we are very hopeful that she will make a full recovery.

“It chills my heart to think that had Hannah been diagnosed in the 80's she would have had little chance of survival. Treatment has come a long way since then with over 75 per cent of children now surviving childhood cancer.”

Hannah’s courage has now motivated the Evenwood Road Runners, in Teesdale, County Durham, to take on the epic Coast to Castles challenge; a non-stop relay from Edinburgh to Newcastle.

Hannah’s brother and sister, Adam and Katie Corner, are both members of the 40-strong group which will be raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance and the North of England Children’s Cancer Research (NECCR).

The runners, aged between 18 and 70, will complete the relay in pairs and run about ten miles each to cover 18 legs, starting from Edinburgh Castle on Friday, June 24, at 5pm.

The last four miles will be completed by the entire group who will be joined by Hannah herself, who is hoping to run the last 200 metres too, on June 25.

Last year the group completed a similar challenge running 135 miles coast to coast and raised more than £8,000 for GNAAS and the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue.

Club member, Dave Baglin, said: “Last year was really quite emotional but everybody is absolutely buzzing and cannot wait for this year’s challenge.

“It’s a special event with everybody doing it all together – we just want to help in any way we can.”

Mr and Mrs Graham praised the runners for supporting the NECCR which is committed to finding new cures and better treatments for children battling the disease.

“We are overwhelmed that the Evenwood Runners have chosen to support this charity it means such a lot to us because we know what a difference it is going to make,” they said.

“Cancer can be such a lonely and isolating experience it's great to know that so many people care.”

To donate search for Evenwood Road Runners at JustGiving.com