Hucknall mum Nicola is on the run to thank hospital staff who cared for her boy

Nicola Barksby is taking on the running challenge throughout September to raise money for Nottingham Children’s Hospital, where her seven-year-old son was recently treated for testicular cancer.

She is taking part in the new Robin Run virtual event, being organised by Nottingham Hospitals Charity to raise money for Nottingham Hospitals.

Nicola’s son,Jake was diagnosed with testicular cancer in June 2019 and underwent surgery and chemotherapy at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, which is based at the Queen’s Medical Centre.

Jake got the all clear to enter remission in January – only for the coronavirus pandemic to break out, meaning Jake had to be shielded throughout lockdown.

Nicola continued: “Being in lockdown gave me the space and time to try and deal with what we had been through as a family, and it started to affect my mental health.

"I knew from previous counselling experience I needed to do something to help myself, so I started running.

Nicola had previously run the Robin Hood Half-Marathon three years ago, but found the recovery hard and painful, which had put her off running again since.

During the Covid-19 lockdown she began a ‘Couch to 5k’ programme and spent nine weeks learning to enjoy running again.

Now, she is taking on Nottingham Hospitals Charity’s Robin Run to thank those who cared for her son.

She said: “To raise money for such a good cause gives me more inspiration to get out and is my way of giving back to the hospital after the year of support they have given us as a family.”

The Robin Run challenge, which is sponsored by 200° Coffee, can be run throughout September, or as a single half-marathon.

Participants can choose their own route and take part either on their own, or with other members of their household.

To sign up for the run, click here.

To sponsor Nicola, click here.