AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy has raised more than £2,000 for cancer research – more than 20 times his fundraising target.
Ted Brooker, of Smallfield, was inspired to take part in the Race for Life in Crawley after his mum, Sandra, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February.
Ted started his fundraising activities in May when he, his dad and grandad took part in a bed-push dressed as women and raised £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
After this, Ted, a pupil at St John's Primary School in Redhill, approached his mum Sandra about the possibility of taking part in Race For Life.
Mrs Brooker said: "We talked about it. I always do it anyway, and Ted said, 'Oh I really want to do it this year because I want to raise some money for cancer research', because he wants to find a cure for this terrible disease.
"I put it on Facebook and people just kept putting money in, it was brilliant. I was absolutely blown away."
Ted's total has continued to rise since he completed the 5k race on June 18 in aid of Cancer Research UK. It currently stands at £2,010 – more than 20 times his £100 target.
He was joined for the race by best friend Elsa, 10, his two aunts and family friends.
After receiving her diagnosis in February, Mrs Brooker, who also completed the 5k event, says it was a difficult time for the family.
"As a family it's a huge shock," she said. "I'm only 47 so it was a huge shock for us all but we have just held tough and it's onwards and upwards. It's just something you have to deal with and get through together. But I have got a brilliant support network."
Mrs Brooker, who is midway through her chemotherapy treatment, said Ted's six older brothers and sisters have helped him deal with the news.
The whole family are very proud of Ted, and not just for his fundraising total, Mrs Booker added.
"He's very mature for an 11-year-old. Just the way he took the news. He's just been really good and he just wants to raise money to find a cure for it.
"We have been honest with him right from the start and he's been brilliant. Honesty is the best policy. You need to sit down and talk about these things and he's got sisters and a brother who are all older than him and they have just been so lovely.
"He's been my little rock."
To donate, visit www. justgiving.com/sandrabrooker/2
