Wellingborough schoolgirl takes on snow, rain and ice to battle for breast cancer

A Wellingborough schoolgirl has completed a 28-day challenge to raise money for a cancer charity in tribute to her two aunts who both beat the disease.

Sports mad Issy Jaszczun, who lives in Woodford and attends Wellingborough School, had been looking to do a fundraising challenge to keep her active during lockdown.

It was her dad Tommy, a former professional footballer, who spotted the Cancer Research UK 56 Mile challenge - running two miles a day for 28 days - and suggested it might be what she had been looking for.

Issy knew she wanted to raise money for breast cancer as both her dad's sister, Vicky Daldy, and her mum's brother's wife Lorraine Pateman had been treated successfully.

14-year-old Issy said: "I knew it was going to be a challenge. I'm a proper sporty person. The weather some days was awful. I felt like I would nearly cry some days.

"On the last run I was relieved and sad it was over. I might still go running once a week."

Hockey-playing Issy was joined by her older sister Millie, 20, and mum Louise Curran on some of the runs, although Louise mostly walked rather than jogging.

She said: "I'm very proud. Some days it was a real struggle with snow and ice, the wind and the rain, but she did it every day. I'm so proud.

"Nobody was happier than me when she finished. It was really emotional. Her two aunties ran with her at the finish line. We put up a balloon arch as a surprise.

"It's been good for her to get outside exercise and it's been good for her mental health."

Issy has raised more than £1,000 with her daily two mile run and will continue to fundraise in the future.

She added: "I'm not sure what I might do next but I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and donated to the fundraising.

"I'd especially like to thank my mum and my sister. "

Click here to donate to Issy's fundraiser for Cancer Research