A YOUNGSTER’S mammoth effort which has seen him raise more than £15,000 by running the equivalent of nine marathons in just four months has been praised in Parliament.
Nine-year-old Oliver Smith’s huge task - inspired by his dad Tom’s battle with a brain tumour - ended at Saturday’s London ‘Mini’ Marathon.
He’s clocked up 236 miles in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity and Stephanie Peacock, the MP for Barnsley South, congratulated his achievement in Parliament this week.
Ms Peacock joined Oliver for part of his challenge at the Barnsley Parkrun, alongside Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis, and paid tribute to him.
She said: “A huge congratulations goes to Oliver from Wombwell on the completion of his impressive nine-marathon challenge.
“At just nine years old, Oliver decided to take on this challenge in aid of the charity.
“I was pleased to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Oliver’s challenge in the House of Commons, and to join him for part of his challenge alongside Dan Jarvis, the MP for Barnsley North.
“Oliver is an inspiration to all of us, and I hope he is really proud of what he has achieved.”
Oliver started his challenge on New Year’s Day, just weeks after his father’s 12-hour operation at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.
Surgeons removed all the tumour via Tom’s cheekbone, the top of his jaw and his eye socket to avoid compromising the integrity of his skull.
Tom, 40, was diagnosed with a four-centimetre meningioma tumour, discovered after he lost nearly all of his vision in one eye.
According to the NHS, more than 12,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour in the UK each year, of which about half are cancerous.
Symptoms include headaches, seizures, persistently feeling sick, mental or behaviour changes, vision or speech problems and progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.
Dan added: “It’s great to hear that Oliver has completed his challenge - and absolutely smashed his fundraising target.
“He really put me through my paces when we ran the Barnsley Parkrun together.
“He’s a credit to himself and his family.”
His mum, Hannah, also completed the full 26.2-mile London Marathon.
Tom said: “The hospital sent us some information about The Brain Tumour Charity and we’ve spent a lot of time of the website and social media pages which has been really positive.
“So Oliver wanted to give back - he’s just got that kind, loving personality.
“He’s not got any more challenges lined up but because he competes for Wakefield Triathlon Club he’ll keep on going.
“He’s not going to stop because he just loves it so much.
“It’s amazing what he’s done and we couldn’t be prouder.
“It’s lovely to watch them both flourishing and digging deep.
“Hannah’s grit and determination echoes Oliver’s - it’s just mega.”
Tom said he was incredibly proud of them both.
He added: “We had the most incredible weekend.
“Hannah finished the marathon in five hours and 12 minutes while Oliver completed his run the day before.
“He was interviewed live on BBC Sport which was amazing.
“We’re all so proud.
“His fundraising - with Gift Aid - will now tip over £16,000.”
