A YOUNG student is really going the distance to support his twin brother during his battle with brain cancer.
Holy Cross College student Alex Pullan is running at least 5km every day for the entire duration of his sibling’s radiotherapy treatment.
Just a few days ago his brother, 17-year-old Matthew Pullan, was diagnosed with a brain tumour for the second time.
The date of his admittance to hospital marked eight years to the day since the tragic death of the brothers’ mum who lost her fight with cancer.
Matthew, who beat the disease as a toddler, has already undergone surgery and is now being treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Alex said: "There's not really anyway you can take that news. You just have to accept it and move on and hope that the doctors are the best.
"The surgery was successful so we are just waiting to see."
Both brothers are keen runners and enjoying pounding the streets together — a hobby they shared with their mum.
But with Matthew currently unable to enjoy his favourite sport, Alex has decided to take on a huge running challenge.
Every day of every week, while Matthew has treatment, Alex will run 5km.
This means he could be running for anywhere between 21 and 63 days, depending on the progression of the radiotherapy.
The teen, who is a member of Radcliffe Athletic Club, is hoping to raise cash for the Brain Tumour Research Charity.
Alex said: “5k is the perfect distance for this as it takes, for me, roughly the same amount of time it takes for a session of radiotherapy to be finished — around 20 to 30 minutes.”
The brothers said that they have chosen the Brain Tumour Research charity together as it a cause very close to their hearts, due to its work looking to find the cure for brain tumours, and stopping the suffering that many children and adults have endured.
Alex added: “I would love for people to donate to a worthwhile cause, to support Matthew and to support thousands of other people in his position.”
For more information and to donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/alexpullan
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