A SUPPORTER of a young boy with cancer has run a double marathon to help raise money for his treatment.

Steven McDonald who lives in Basingstoke heard about Charlie Ilsley’s plight in the media and explained he was “touched” by his story.

Charlie, 13, from Emmer Green was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, the most high-grade brain tumour found in children when he was eight years old.

READ ALSO: Supporters of Emmer Green's Charlie Ilsley help to buy him a wheelchair.

He has undergone countless operations and even more hospital trips since to help rid him of this cancer.

Charlie flew to Mexico for potentially life-saving treatment in June this year but a follow up scan showed a “small progression” in Charlie’s spine and a little area in the back of his head.

He returned to Mexico with mum Toni and dad Mark recently.

It was here where he underwent more treatment including Immunotherapy which was injected straight into his spine.

When thinking about how he could help raise money for Charlie’s treatment, 29-year-old Steven decided to run a double marathon.

He explained years ago he ran a couple of separate marathons but had never run two back to back.

Having trained for nine weeks, Steven completed his 52.4 mile run on Sunday, November 22.

He started at 8am and ran 17 laps around Dorney Lake in Buckinghamshire finishing 11 hours and nine minutes later.

Speaking about the challenge, he said: “This was definitely the toughest thing I have ever done.”

He revealed he “thought it would be harder mentally” but found the strain on his knees and ankles the hardest part adding he “couldn’t describe the pain”.

READ ALSO: 34 test positive for Covid after Tilehurst school outbreak.

Toni and Mark visited him to cheer him on during his run.

By Tuesday Steven had managed to raise £3,300 and he said he was “blown away by people’s generosity”.

Toni described him as “amazing” and said she “can’t thank him enough”.

Charlie is due to go back to Mexico on December 4 for a follow up scan and will stay there for a week.

If you would like to support the Chronicle’s campaign and help raise money for Charlie’s treatment click here or visit the Facebook page ‘Stand Up To Cancer: Charlie’s Page’.