A top team as Miles For Men and Lyla and Lilley’s Stars join forces to help the sick and disadvantaged

Hartlepool-based Miles For Men has teamed up with Lyla and Lilley’s Stars which is the charity named after the Hartlepool Child of Courage Lyla O’Donovan and her big sister Lilley, 12.

The founders of both causes hailed the link-up as ‘amazing’ and said they can’t wait to get started on making a difference to those most in need.

The plans for the future include;

* An awards night where deserving people pick up honours and which could be attended by celebrities;

* Lyla’s parents Paul and Kirsty O’Donovan joining the Miles for Men board;

* Both causes continuing to help people in need;

* And Miles for Men helping to promote the new Rainbow Retreat initiative which was launched by Lyla and Lilley’s Stars this month.

The aim of the Rainbow Retreat is to send seriously ill youngsters to a luxury villa in Tenerife but £10,000 must be raised for it to become reality.

Miles for Men founder Micky Day welcomed the new partnership and said: “This will make such a difference in people’s lives and there is nothing more precious than that. We shall make a difference together and it broadens our horizons.”

Micky said both causes would become ‘bigger and better’ thanks to the link-up and added: “There is no better feeling than helping others.”

Miles for Men has helped people affected by cancer to have their wedding dreams come true. It has helped children to enjoy special days out and adults to have much-needed support when they have needed it the most.

It is on course to have donated £500,000 in its nine-year history.

The Miles for Men story started in 2012 when Micky founded the 5k run in memory of his father Michael Day senior, who died aged 68 after a one-year battle with throat cancer.

That first run attracted 1,000 runners and raised more than £40,000. There has been no stopping the town charity ever since.

Lyla and Lilley’s Stars’ aim is to offer support to families with a child who has a life threatening illness and provide a day out to make some special memories.

Lyla herself is no stranger to helping others even though she has had 12 operations on a brain tumour.

She was only three when she was found to have the tumour. Since her diagnosis, Lyla has had to deal with meningitis, hydrocephalus and repeated hospital visits.

This weekend, she was waiting to go back in to hospital. Doctors will try to induce a seizure in a bid to find out more about her health.

Lyla will also have an ICP bolt (Intercranial Pressure) inserted into her skull. It will have a fibre optic cable attached which will push through to test the pressure on her brain.

Paul was delighted to team up with Miles for Men and said: “This is massive news and it works for both charities. Miles for Men has always been brilliant in helping Lyla and the link-up made sense.

"We shall move everything under the Miles for Men umbrella and it is the best way forward.”

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