Hundreds gathered in Bridgend as an inspirational girl undergoing chemotherapy took part in a 2km run on her sixth birthday. Betsy Williams, who is fighting leukaemia, had a huge smile on her face on Sunday morning as her friends sang Happy Birthday before they set off on the Junior Parkrun at Newbridge Fields.
Betsy arrived at the event — which this week was dedicated to her family and friends' fundraising for Latch Welsh Children's Cancer Charity — with a pink scooter she got for her birthday and a basket holding her Elsa and Snow White dolls. Her mum Charlotte said: "Since the diagnosis things have been emotional and quite difficult for her. This has really raised her spirits. She is so excited."
Family friend Leah Hughes, who helped organise the event alongside a group of friends, said Betsy's illness has affected the mobility of her legs but she was determined to take part, even if just walking. Flanked by her mum, Betsy burst from the start line at an impressive pace. "She ran the whole way," said Leah. "She is incredibly brave, as we knew she would be, and we’re so proud of her."
Charlotte, 38, added: "She is so strong. She never complains. Even though she has gone through some scary procedures, she takes it all in her stride. All the children in her ward are amazing. They come out of surgery and ten minutes later they are playing."
Betsy, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in March, has a "very good" prognosis, said Charlotte. She has been off school while going through the "gruelling" treatment at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital in Cardiff. Throughout, the support from Latch has been invaluable to Betsy as well as Charlotte and her fiancé Christian.
"From the time we turned up at the hospital and got the diagnosis, they have been there to offer support," said Charlotte. "They have arranged accommodation so Christian and I could stay the night. They've helped with food, money for petrol, a listening ear. They've planned a trip to Heatherton World of Activities for the families in Rainbow ward. They make sure that among the sadness there is a little bit of light. When Betsy looks back at this time she will hopefully remember some nice things, not just doom and gloom."
The run has raised £4,007 for Latch in Justgiving donations — you can donate here — and the family have been overwhelmed by the support from the people of Bridgend, hundreds of whom turned up on Sunday, including dozens of Betsy's friends running alongside her. Leah said: "It's such an important cause because Latch relies on donations rather than government funding. It is a real lifeline for families."
Latch fundraising officer Lisa Davies said ahead of the event: "We really hope all the children enjoy and are certain that they will. As a Welsh children's cancer charity, we couldn't do it without our fantastic fundraisers, donors and our incredible supporters. Thanks again everyone for making a huge difference to the lives of Latch families in Wales. Latch supports the children who are receiving treatment for cancer at the Children’s Hospital for Wales and their families. Our catchment area stretches from Chepstow in the south to Aberystwyth in the north where an unbelievable 70 new cases are diagnosed every year. If you would like to fundraise for Latch, please contact us for a fundraising pack at Lisa.davies4@wales.nhs.uk"
The family gave special thanks to the National Farmers' Union, which donated £6,500 to the cause. You can read more of the latest Welsh charity stories here.
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