Meet the stars of the Mini Great Bristol Run

‘Super Saturday’ is back for another year, giving young runners a chance to shine centre stage at the Junior and Mini Great Bristol Run this weekend. There’s over 80 children running for Team Grand Appeal and Team Cots for Tots this weekend, meet some of the fundraising heroes taking on the Mini Great Bristol Run.

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Meet Teddy taking on the Mini Great Bristol Run

Teddy, aged six, will take part in the Great Bristol Mini Run alongside 11 of his friends. Their aim is to give back to the hospital that is treating his little sister, Lucia, aged three, who is undergoing treatment for an extremely rare brain tumour. 

Lucia

Lucia has been in Bristol Children’s Hospital since the beginning of the year and is now on her fourth round of chemotherapy. With the family living some distance away, Teddy stays with his aunt during the week so he can continue attending school and spends weekends and holidays at the hospital with his Mum, Beckie and Dad, Jy. He has also received incredible support from the hospital school, which has made it possible for the family to spend longer weekends together. 

Although there is still a long road ahead, the family has been overwhelmed by the expertise, skill and compassion they have received. Now, they are determined to find a way to give something back.

Teddy and Lucia

In late February, Lucia’s first follow-up scan showed no new disease and a reduction in the size of the tumour. Within just three days of receiving the results, Teddy had signed up for the Mini Run to raise money for The Grand Appeal, the dedicated charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital, and his friends quickly followed. The team are called Teddy’s Starlight Striders, with their fundraising supporting Starlight Ward, where Lucia is being treated.  

While Lucia continues her treatment, Teddy is preparing for his running debut. For him, it is a way of being a big brother, of stepping in and taking part in something far greater than anyone so young should ever have to understand.  

The young team of superheroes have already raised an astonishing £11,000 for The Grand Appeal. For Teddy and his friends, this 1.5km run will be something they can feel proud of for the rest of their lives.

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Meet Team Leos and Luca taking on the Junior Great Bristol Run

Three friends Leo N (8), Leo P (8) and Luca P (6) have turned training, teamwork and a lot of heart into a fundraising feat as they prepare to run the Great Bristol Mini Run on Saturday 9 May for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal.  

Leo P, Luca and Leo N

Bristol Children’s Hospital is a place that has helped shape their childhoods. Both Leo N and Luca P are patients, and so is Leo N’s sister, one-year-old Adley.

Adley and Leo N (L), Luca (R)

Leo N was born with multiple heart conditions and needed life-saving open-heart surgery at just seven days old. He spent his first two months on the cardiac ward and will need further surgery in the future. Alongside his heart condition, Leo N also experienced vocal cord paralysis; speech and language therapy has helped, but he can still get breathless because his airways are restricted, making this run a significant feat. His sister, Adley was born with all her major organs in her chest and spent two months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s. Adley returns every three months for clinical appointments at St Michael’s Hospital and continues her care at Bristol Children’s Hospital for ultrasounds and regular blood tests. 

Luca has gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), he had a PEG fitted last September to help treat it, and while he still requires regular ongoing care, and cannot eat orally he is now thriving. The fact he can even take part in this race is huge news, and a credit to his medical teams in Bristol, Bath and London. 

Luca and Leo P (L), Luca (R)

Today, hospital life is still part of the routine for Leo N, Luca and Adley.  

The fundraising idea began with Leo P. He wanted to raise money for a charity that continues to support his brother, his friend, Adley, and so many other children in their community. Leo N and Luca P didn’t hesitate; they wanted to be part of it too. Together, the friends became “Team Leos and Luca”, determined to do something positive with the experiences they and their families know so well. 

Leo N and Leo P are both naturally sporty, but this time their energy has a new purpose. They joined an athletics club to train for the race and have been putting practising with their football team too. For the children, it’s been a chance to take charge, something joyful and practical they can do themselves. They’ve seen their parents fundraise for the hospital before; now it’s their turn to lead the way. 

The team have already decided what matters most on the day; finishing together. Because Luca P can’t walk very far, Leo N and Leo P plan to run the 1.5km, loop back around, and then walk with him over the finish line. It’s a small detail that says everything about this trio. 

The children’s parents feel immensely proud, not only that they’ve chosen to do this, but that they’re finding genuine joy in it. Team Leos and Luca aren’t pretending the journey has been easy; they’re proving that even when life includes hospital corridors and regular check-ups, it can still make room for laughter, friendship and a finish line.