I’m David Warren. Me and my son Michael Warren are attempting to run 25km from Bristol to Bath on September 27th, 2025. It will be the furthest either of us has ever run, but we are determined to do it for a very special reason.
We are raising funds to help support Olsen, a brave little boy who’s touched our hearts – and also to support a wonderful local charity, The Children of Worcestershire & Herefordshire Cancer Fund.
This is Olsen’s story:
Two-year-old Olsen is the happiest little boy you could ever imagine. He runs around, excited by life, he makes everyone smile and he brings so much joy to us all.
But in July this year, all that changed. Olsen received a devastating diagnosis - he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a rare type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow as well as his ability to fight off infection.
This was shocking news for us all, but especially for Olsen’s mum and dad, Becky and Dan.
Olsen was admitted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and quickly put onto a gruelling and intense course of chemotherapy and steroid treatment. The aim – to kill off the leukaemia cells and put the disease into remission.
Olsen is an incredibly brave little boy but the cancer, and the treatment, is already taking its toll on his tiny body. He’s weak, exhausted and suffers with pain that is so severe he is unable to walk. He’s losing his lovely golden locks and it’s heartbreaking to witness this happy, joyful little boy endure so much.
There is a 90 per cent chance Olsen will eventually reach full remission, but he and his parents face a long, hard road. Chemotherapy and other targeted treatments are likely to continue for up to three years.
Becky and Dan have found themselves plunged into a living hell – a world of frequent hospital visits, emergency trips in the small hours of the morning, relentless pain and suffering, surgical procedures, blood transfusions and doctor appointments.
There's a financial impact too, with loss of income and increased costs including travel between hospitals in Birmingham and Worcester for specialist treatment. Dan is having to return to work, but Becky has left her job for now. They’re determined that at least one of them will be by Olsen’s side, caring for him, every step of the way.
Please help us to help Olsen as well as other local children like him and their families.
* Donations will be split 50-50. Half will go directly to financially supporting Olsen and ensuring he will be as comfortable as possible during his treatment, including most importantly having his mum by his side every day.
The other half will go directly to The Children of Worcestershire & Herefordshire Cancer Fund. This wonderful local charity does fantastic work, supporting poorly children and their families in a variety of different ways https://wahcharity.org/wh-childrens-cancer-fund