{"id":584848,"date":"2026-08-30T10:48:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T10:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/584848\/"},"modified":"2026-08-30T10:48:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T10:48:17","slug":"boy-takes-on-run-challenge-for-teacher-with-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/584848\/","title":{"rendered":"Boy takes on run challenge for teacher with cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

A teacher with breast cancer has described her pupil as “my hero” after he embarked on sponsored runs to help her.<\/p>\n

Molly Andrews, a Year 5 teacher, says 11-year-old Max, from Bingham in Nottinghamshire, is the one who has kept her going after her diagnosis.<\/p>\n

Max has raised \u00a33,000 to pay towards Molly’s living expenses while she undergoes treatment.<\/p>\n

He has run 4km (2.5 miles) a day with friends and well-wishers throughout August, finishing with a final jog this weekend near his home with as many of his supporters as possible there to cheer him on.<\/p>\n

\"Max<\/p>\n

Max has completed his runs both in organised events and by himself [Supplied]<\/p>\n

Max and Molly struck up a friendship early on.<\/p>\n

Molly, 24, says: “He was in my first ever class. I had just finished teacher training and he was in my first year group, so those are very special children.”<\/p>\n

Max said: “The year before I didn’t have a great year because I didn’t really enjoy it.<\/p>\n

“But then when I went into Year 5, it was just the best year ever.<\/p>\n

“It was fun and nothing felt boring – even the subjects I didn’t enjoy were just fun.”<\/p>\n

In April, Molly found a lump and while she was referred for tests, her age meant both she and the doctor were not worried.<\/p>\n

“I went to hospital, they did a biopsy and then on 11 June, I got a phone call saying ‘you need to come into hospital today’.<\/p>\n

“And I kind of just knew, because they don’t call you in if it’s nothing.”<\/p>\n

Fortunately the cancer has not spread.<\/p>\n

“But if I hadn’t got checked,” she adds. “If I hadn’t been seen, hadn’t gone for that appointment and been waiting, it could have been a different story.”<\/p>\n

\"Max<\/p>\n

Max says raising money by running is a practical way to show his support for Molly [Supplied]<\/p>\n

Max was keen to give his support.<\/p>\n

“It’s to help Ms Andrews get through the cancer and make it easier.<\/p>\n

“At first we didn’t know what to do, but we wanted to do something that everyone can do so, we ended up doing running.”<\/p>\n

Molly says: “[The support] keeps you going.<\/p>\n

“Max’s friends post every day and, particularly when I’m really poorly after chemotherapy, I can’t really do anything but seeing his runs, it really keeps you motivated, keeps you going.<\/p>\n

“It’s just been something lovely every day.”<\/p>\n

She confirmed that while she did not have a confirmed date, she was “100% going back to teaching. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do”.<\/p>\n

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds<\/a> and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook<\/a>, on X<\/a>, or on Instagram<\/a>. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk<\/a> or via WhatsApp<\/a> on 0808 100 2210.<\/p>\n

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