East Ardsley teacher’s Great North Run for inspirational Leah
East Ardsley Primary School teacher, Liz Kontargyri and eight-year-old Leah Morris. Liz ran the Great North Run to raise money for Candelighters at Leeds General Infirmary to support children with cancer. Leah was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer, two years ago. She is now in remission and is returning to school. (D516B238)
THE brave battle being fought by an eight-year-old girl has been inspiration for her teacher’s gruelling 13.1 mile run.
Liz Kontargyri, year four teacher at East Ardsley Primary School, joined thousands of other runners on Sunday in the Bupa Great North Run, to raise money for the Candelighters appeal, which is linked to LGI, and found pupil Leah Morris to be her inspiration.
Leah, from Thorpe, was diagnosed with childhood cancer neuroblastoma two years ago. Doctors found it was attached to her kidney and spreading to her chest. She went through chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumour and one of her kidneys and has also undergone a stem cell transplant.
Liz, 55, said: “It was touch and go at one point, but Leah is now in remission.
“She is still very weak and is gradually coming back to school.
“Her friends at school have been so good with her and the school has been tremendous by bringing her back gradually, letting her come back at her own pace.”
Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumour that develops from nerve tissue and can spread to the bones. The cause of the disease is unknown and is the second most common solid tumour in childhood.
Liz, of Watson Street, Morley, is a keen runner and has already successfully completed the Abbey Dash at Kirkstall and several Race for Life events to raise money for a number of charities.
But the Great North Run on Sunday was the longest run so far and all for Candelighters, to help them continue the care and support they offer children, just like Leah.
Liz, who prepared for the event by running 15-16 miles, up and down Churwell Hill, said:” It was a fabulous experience with my motivation being as well as helping so many families touched by cancer in the Leeds area, they have been immensely supportive of Leah who was in my class a couple of years ago.
“She has been receiving treatment and has been so poorly, but yet so brave.
“Leah is now back in school and looks amazing, she is doing really well.”
Liz has hopefully raised around £350 with sponsors by staff and members of Morley Central Methodist Church, of which Liz is part of the congregation.
Anyone who would still like to donate to Liz’s funds for Candelighters can visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/lizkontargyri
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Thursday 20 June 2013
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