A group of parents have raised £23,000 for Harpenden cancer sufferer Jocelyn Leaver by completing the Tough Mudder challenge.
A group of 39 mums and dads worked together to finish the five mile obstacle course in aid of four-year-old Jocelyn, also known as Jossie, who attends Crabtree Infants School and needs treatment for neuroblastoma.
One of the participants, Kate Simpson, said: “It was absolutely amazing and so much fun with amazing teamwork.
“We felt we needed to do something and we thought Tough Mudder was something anyone could get involved in.”
The money raised by the group, known as Jossie’s Posse, will go towards four-year-old Jossie’s treatment for the rare nerve cell cancer, which mainly affects children aged under five.
In addition, a mum is designing necklaces, a ball is being organised and the school is running a silent auction.
Kate said: “It’s ongoing and we are constantly raising money as we go and there will be lots more things on in the next six months.”
Jossie’s mum, Cassie, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed by the love and support of people in Harpenden and St Albans.
“The mums and dads have been fantastic from day one and hearing the challenges they have undertaken is absolutely unbelievable.
“In truth, Jossie has only been at school for six weeks so we have only known them for five minutes, but they have been incredible: doing this in 30 degree heat and during the World Cup quarter finals and doing that for our family is incredible.Some of them I don’t even know!
“It speaks volumes about the community we live in.”
Jossie has not been able to attend school regularly, due to the intensive nature of her treatment, but the family hopes she will be back in September.
They are also hoping to raise enough to take Jossie to America for preventative relapse treatment - patients with neuroblastoma like Jossie only have a five to ten per cent chance of survival if they relapse.
Until then, she is undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
To donate to Jossie’s Posse, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/jossiesposse or for Jossie’s page, visit solvingkidscancer.org.uk/campaigns/jossie-leavers-journey
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