A teenage cancer patient from Bolton has signed up for this year's 10 kilometre Bupa Great Manchester Run on Sunday 16th May to raise money for The Christie, which for the first time ever has been selected as the official local charity for the event.

Despite never having run such a distance before, Leanne Parker who lives in the Breightmet area of the town, will run the race with her mum Bernadette Bates as a way of thanking the leading cancer centre for the care she has received since being diagnosed with leukaemia in May 2008.

The 19 year old, who has an identical twin sister and two brothers, has now completed intensive treatment but still visits The Christie every week for maintenance chemotherapy, which is where the medication is given in lower doses to help prolong remission.

It is not the first time the psychology student has fundraised for The Christie. Just last September she completed a free-air 140 foot abseil at Manchester United's stadium Old Trafford.

She said; "I'm not really a runner, so I'm a bit nervous about this - 10K is a long way! But even if I have to walk most of the way I'm going to reach that finishing line.

"The care I've received at The Christie has been nothing but first class and I want to show my gratitude by raising money in whatever way I can. I still have about another year of chemotherapy to go yet but I'm feeling positive and know I have a great future ahead of me."

Money that Leanne manages to raise from the Great Manchester Run will go to The Christie's teenage cancer unit where she is treated. The award winning unit is one of only ten dedicated cancer units in the country providing specialist care and facilities for young people between 16 and 24 years of age. As well as funding vital research into new treatments, donations to the unit help to provide equipment, counselling, activities for patients, support for families who find themselves in financial hardship and overnight accommodation for parents.

She added; "The unit is just fantastic which definitely makes having cancer easier to bear. There are things like juke boxes, computers and pool tables so there's always something to do to keep your mind off what you're going through. It's so important that people keep fundraising for The Christie though because I've seen first hand how it helps. That's why I'd like to encourage as many people as possible to sign up to the Great Manchester Run for The Christie."

Also running this year is Bolton actress Katy Cavanagh who plays factory girl Julie Carp in Coronation Street.

She said; ""The work that The Christie does is invaluable to cancer patients, not just in the North West but up and down the country.

"It is a special place with a special atmosphere and that is so important when are being treated for cancer and rare alongside such innovative research.

"I have never done the Great Manchester Run before but I am really looking forward to it and it will be a privilege to run for The Christie."

Thousands of participants have run for the cancer centre since the Great Manchester Run was launched in 2003, but this is the first time it has been selected as the main local charity. The famous cancer centre was chosen by Manchester City Council for the next three years. The official charity was previously the new Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and prior to that the Kirsty Appeal. The Christie is also the nominated charity for both the Bupa Junior and Mini Great Manchester Runs.

All 26,000 general entries for the run were snapped up within 48 hours of opening but because of high demand, the race organisers Nova International have decided to hold a ballot for the final 10,000 public places. It is scheduled to be drawn on Monday 1st February.

Communications director of Nova International, David Hart, said "The Bupa Great Manchester Run has captured the imagination of the region to such an extent that despite the horrendous weather conditions last week, we received entries at a record rate. To give more people a chance of taking part, we felt that creating a ballot for the last 10,000 places was the fairest way of progressing."

Head of sporting events at the Christie charity, Jenny Haskey, added; "If you already have a place or are successful in securing one in the ballot, we'd be delighted if you choose The Christie as your chosen charity. All the money raised will help cancer patients now and in the future. Visit www.greatrun.org for more information."

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