Little fighter Leyton will start Hartlepool's Miles for Men race

Leyton Anderson, 4, has been chosen to officially start this year’s 5k run which will be held this Sunday at The Domes in Seaton Carew.

Courageous Leyton has had a constant round of chemotherapy, lumbar punctures and visits to hospital since he was diagnosed with a form of leukaemia, late last year

He has undergone tests at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle which showed he had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) which is a cancer of the white blood cells. It affects around one in 2,000 children but there is a 97 per cent survival rate.

Now Leyton has been chosen to get the Miles for Men run under way. The charity’s promotions manager Richard Griffiths - who battled with cancer and had a string of other complications himself - is hoping it will be a momentous day.

“Miles for Men is going into its fourth year and we have raised £175,000 so far.

“We are looking to go past the £200,000 mark this year and we thank all the businesses and local people who have supported us.”

The Miles for Men 5k run starts at 1pm; the 5k Walk for Women at around 1.15pm; and the accompanying music festival from 1.30pm to 9pm.

Registration for Walk for Women – and for Miles for Men – is open at www.milesformen.co.uk

The men’s race will raise money for the Hartlepool & District Hospice while Walk for Women will support both the hospice and Miles for Men.

Entry for either race is £10 for adults, £7.50 for those aged from six to 17, £5 for those aged five and under, and the events are free for anyone aged 65 and over. All entrants get a T-shirt and medal.

Michael Day founded the charity after losing his father, Michael senior, to throat cancer in 2007.