A brave girl’s fight has inspired a fantastic fundraising effort from her dad’s work mates, with £14,000 donated to the Bone Cancer Research Trust in her name. Staff at Manchester main contractor Russell WBHO joined Leo Frechou’s 100-mile challenge to raise funds for Abigail’s Ambition.
Abigail Frechou was just nine when she was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma in June 2019 after a year of intermittent pain in her leg. Following major surgery and aggressive chemo and radiotherapy, Abigail has now been given the all clear. Together with her family, the 10-year-old wants to raise awareness of the disease and raise vital funds for research into kinder treatments.
Dad Leo set out to run 100-miles in a month in aid of the Bone Cancer Research Trust, inspiring colleagues Steve Long, Camille Grimes, Jonny Smith, Sam Dickenson and Josh Stones to join him. Each completed the 100-mile challenge and raised more than £11,000 between them. Russell WBHO donated a further £3,000 bringing the total to £14,000.
Leo, head of environmental and ISO at Russell WBHO, said: “The Bone Cancer Research Trust was very helpful to us after Abigail’s diagnosis and she wanted to do something for them in return. Unfortunately the treatment for this type of cancer, while lifesaving, it is a horrible process for anyone to go through.
“We set up Abigail’s Ambition with the hope of helping to raise awareness of this disease, Ewings sarcoma in particular, so medics might recognise it earlier. And the fundraising will go towards helping fund research and support families like ours in the future.
“I was enormously touched that my colleagues joined me in the 100-mile challenge, and amazing with how much money they have raised. The company was also incredibly generous with its donation, I can’t tell you what it means to Abigail and the whole family, she is really chuffed and I just want to say a huge thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all our friends, family, Russells, colleagues, and sub-contractors.”
Quantity surveyor Steven Long was one of those who took part. He said: “No one should have to go through what Abigail and her family had to endure, and we were all so glad to hear that she now has the all clear. When Leo took on the 100-mile challenge a group of us wanted to support him and we all challenged each other with running totals throughout the month.
“None of us can believe how much we have raised for Abigail, and we really want to thank everyone at the company, along with our suppliers and sub-contractors who donated money, as well as our families and friends. Everyone has pulled together in a brilliant way to show their support to Abigail and we all wish her the very best of luck for the future.”
