Well-wishers helped to raise thousands of pounds for a teenage girl battling cancer at an event organised by her firefighter cousin.
Hornchurch man Tony Gladman, who is a firefighter based at the London Fire Brigade’s Ilford station, hosted the event for his 15-year-old cousin Bethany, who was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour earlier this year.
She has a medulloblastoma and has had to have a number of treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, all before she turns 16 years old.
The event on November 4 at the Royal British Legion in Hornchuch – which had performances, a DJ and silent auction – was attended by Havering mayor and former firefighter Trevor McKeever and around 150 other guests.
Tony said: “It was amazing, unbelievable to see the support that came out from the community, with everyone coming together to help.”
It raised around £4,000 towards Bethany and her family to use on treatments or other expenses, as well as First Step – a Hornchurch-based charity supporting children with special needs.
This is added to the now £8,000 total raised for the cause, which includes sponsorship money collected when Tony ran the London Marathon this year.
The 31-year-old finished the 26.2-mile course in about four hours, 48 minutes and 28 seconds, which was slightly slower than his usual time because he helped two other runners along the way.
He said: “I couldn’t just run by someone if they are on the deck.”
At about mile 14, a woman next to Tony became faint and he helped her to medical help nearby.
Then at around mile 24, he helped carry a man on a stretcher into an ambulance.
Tony added: “At the end of the day, I normally run it between 4.30 and 4.40 - I am not the fastest and don’t mind about the time, I just want to enjoy the day.”
The firefighter said he takes on the marathon every year, each time raising money for a different cause.
He has previously run it in support of his friend’s son who suffers from brittle bones, with the money going towards a new wheelchair.
To donate to Tony’s fundraiser for Bethany, visit www.gofundme.com/f/forbethany2022
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