Suffolk men to run Ipswich Half Marathon for teenage cancer charity in honour of friend

Two men from Suffolk are going to run the Ipswich Half Marathon next month to raise money in honour of a friend who lost his battle with cancer.

Billy Thurston and Tom Allen hope to cross the finish line on September 11 to raise at least £750 BacZac His Legacy, a Northampton-based charity that supports young adults with cancer.

The duo are running in memory of their friend Zac Forskitt who passed away in 2016 after being diagnosed with both a rare case of testicular cancer and a rare form of myeloid leukaemia.

All three friends attended Nottingham Trent University together.

Billy, from Saxmundham, said: “It is an honour to be running once again in memory of Zac. He was such an amazing, friendly person who lit up any room he entered.

“We have received so much support ahead of the half marathon, highlighting just how many people adored Zac.”

He added: “After beating our initial donation target of £500, we are now committed to raising £750 to help young adults with cancer and their families in Zac’s honour.”

The Ipswich Half Marathon starts and ends at Portman Road Stadium.

Hundreds of runners hope to raise money for various charities.

BacZac His Legacy was set up in November 2017 by Zac's father Jason, mother Helen, sister Bethan, and friend Mandy Hammersley.

Jason said: “We are extremely thankful for Billy and Tom who are once again getting behind us and raising money for our charity.

“Ever since we got charity status, they have always supported our effort to help young people with cancer.”

The charity hopes to £250,000 respite lodge on the coast for young adults battling cancer.

Money raised also helps young adults with cancer and their families in the form of grants to help with financial difficulties or to fund days out, high street vouchers as a ‘pick me up’, and food vouchers for those undergoing cancer treatment.

They are gifted at hospitals in Nottingham, Leicester, Liverpool, Cambridge, Birmingham and Northampton.

BacZac hopes to expand in the future.