Kilham’s Karla to take on Yorkshire Marathon – her final running challenge – for Neuroblastoma UK

Kilham’s Karla Kemp has started training for her fourth, and final, running challenge as she supports another charity that helped her family following her stepson’s diagnosis with cancer.

Then a novice runner, Karla’s first challenge saw her take on the Kilham 10K in 2022 and she built up to a half marathon the following year.

Last September saw Karla, a teaching assistant at Driffield Northfield Infant School, run 100 miles throughout the month.

Now, she is putting in the miles in preparation for the Yorkshire Marathon on Sunday 19th October to raise money for Neuroblastoma UK.

The charity was one of four that supported Karla and her family when her stepson, Ronnie, was diagnosed
with neuroblastoma in 2018 at the age of just three-years-old.

Neuroblastoma UK is a national charity dedicated to finding a cure for neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops from the cells left behind from a baby’s development in the womb.

Following the diagnosis, Ronnie underwent several forms of cancer treatment and surgery and, thankfully, is now five years in remission.

Through her running challenges, Karla wants to give something back to the charities that her and her family will be forever in debt to.

So far, including the money donated already this year, Karla has raised over £6,000 for charity.

“My stepson was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2018, and he went through lots of treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, a huge operation and immunotherapy,” she told the Wolds Weekly.

“Whilst going through all that, we had so many charities that helped us as a family. Once his cancer cleared and he went into remission, I decided I wanted to do something to give back to all the charities.

“I did the Kilham 10K first and went on to run a half marathon the year after. In 2024, I ran 100 miles
during September.

“This year, I’ve set my sights on running a marathon as I said I would set myself challenges over four
years to support four charities.

“This is the final one and then I can retire because my body is in bits! The marathon is the big one.

“I’ve already raised over £1,100 for Neuroblastoma UK. I set my target at £1,500 but I always intended to go beyond that.”

The Yorkshire Marathon starts and finishes in York city centre, with runners heading out towards Stockton on the Forest, Sand Hutton, Stamford Bridge and Dunnington.

The scenic route, and flat and fast course, make it a firm favourite with marathon runners and, provided she stays injury-free, Karla is hopeful she will make it round with few issues.

“I absolutely love running and wouldn’t be without it now,” she said. “Four years ago, I didn’t even
run up the stairs and now I’ve got such a passion for it.

“Through my running, I want to do anything I can to help the charities that have done everything they can for us.

“Ronnie is five years clear of cancer as of last October and that was when I decided it was time to
do the big one.

“I’ve started my training, and I am doing the Snake Lane 10-mile race later this month to keep ticking over.

“I’m running three times every week, at least, and that’s going well, in-between injuries. The furthest I have run is 17 miles, which isn’t bad at this stage.

“I just want to survive the race on the day. But I do want to run the whole race, I’m not walking at all. I’ve
done the half, and I always run, I never stop.

“As long as I am not last, I’m not bothered. If I was setting a target, four-and-a-half hours seems realistic but I’m not going to push myself.”

A steady flow of donations have already been made towards Karla’s fundraising target through her Just
Giving page.

Karla said that every penny she raises will allow the charity to help other children who are diagnosed
with neuroblastoma and fund further research towards a cure.

“The money raised will be massively important for the charity,” she said. “Neuroblastoma UK is a charity
that is overlooked as it’s a rare childhood cancer, that few people know about.

“It’s the smaller charities like this one that people don’t really think about, and the money raised will give
them more funding for treatment and move further to finding a cure.

“Every penny matters to them.

“I am looking forward to running the marathon and knowing that I am doing it for Ronnie. It spurs me on, as we are so grateful for all the help we have had over the years.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/page/karla-kemp-1726858003381.