Harrogate man raising money for Make A Wish during their latest volunteer drive
His daughter Connie passed away from cancer back in 2015
Last updated 8th Jun 2022
A man from Bilton-in-Ainsty is set to be taking on the Great North Run later this year in aid of the Make-A-Wish Foundation alongside two friends and his 17-year-old son.
Tony Holmes will be running in aid of his daughter, who passed away nearly four years after being diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, nine months after her 18th birthday.
He says: "It's the fourth time we've done it since Connie died. Her friend David came round one day asking if I'd mind him doing the Great North Run in memory of Connie - and I said, 'absolutely - and can I run with you?'"
Connie was diagnosed with the aggressive form of cancer after experiencing pain and discomfort on the left side of her body before being referred to Leeds General Infirmary for an MRI scan.
During this time, the family made sure to live for the moment - and one of those experiences was thanks to being put in touch with the Make-A-Wish Foundation's volunteer Wish Makers.
Tony says: "Connie was a very positive person. The thing for us was every time she was out of hospital, we took every opportunity to do something that was fun and enjoyable because a lot of the time we didn't have that freedom."
The Foundation made Connie's dreams come true, as she'd always wanted to visit Paris and have dinner in the Eiffel Tower, which the whole family got the chance to experience back in October 2014 - just ten months before she passed away from the disease.
Aside from their meal, the family were given travel money to spend, went on an open-top tour bus ride, visited the Moulin Rouge and went to the Notre Dame during their time in the French capital.
"Make-A Wish-organised the accommodation and travel, gave us some spending money... they were incredibly generous and made it such a special time," he reflects.
They are now appealing for more volunteers to help make the wishes of the 60,000 eligible children across the UK a reality. Currently, there aren't enough volunteers to enable this vision, where they help to enrich the lives of critically-ill children.
Tony says: "What charities like Make-A-Wish do is make it all bearable and gives you things that you can look back later on and think about the happy memories. Despite the difficult circumstances, they were a part of that positivity during this time."
As part of his efforts, Tony will be heading off to the Great North Run in September, and is hoping to raise over £1000 for the charity in memory of his late daughter and help give more families the chance to see a wish granted, just like they had eight years ago.
To donate to his cause, Tony has launched a Just Giving page.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tony-holmes-great-north-run-2022-charity-place