Hitachi Construction Machinery UK Supporting a Great Cause for the Great North Run

Hitachi Construction Machinery sponsored two runners in the UK’s most famous half marathon on the 9th of September 2018, who were running in aid of a young cancer sufferer.

The Simply Health Great North Run is a 13.1 mile race that starts in Newcastle upon Tyne and stretches down to South Shields, attracting over 55,000 runners to the region each year. This year, HCMUK’s selected duo were not only running for a great cause, but one that is very close to their hearts.

When Alexander Mohammed was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in November 2015, the young boy’s life was only just beginning. Neuroblastoma is an aggressive form of childhood cancer, yet research for the disease only accounts for 4% of total cancer funding.

At just four years of age, Alexander had to undergo treatment that included intensive chemotherapy. These treatments have resulted in permanent infertility as well as impaired liver and kidney function. Since the treatment, Alexander has been able to return to school and enjoy playtime, even managing to get back into swimming and water play after having his central line removed – but sadly Alexander will still have to wait five years to know if he’s fully clear of the disease, with a 50:50 chance it may return.

His mother, Elish Mohammed, ran the Great North Run to raise money for Neuroblastoma UK, a charity dedicated to understanding and curing Neuroblastoma. Her close friend Jennifer Jones ran with Elish, and together the pair raised a fantastic £6,662 for the charity, which included a £2,000 donation from HCMUK. These vital funds will go towards helping Neuroblastoma UK to find and implement a cure.