Tutu team’s Sheffield 10k tribute to ex-Oakwood student Lulu, 16

Family and friends of Lulu Blundell (below), who started chemotherapy the day after her 16th birthday in June, are raising cash for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The outpouring of support came after Lulu herself kicked off the fundraising when she asked for donations to the Child & Teenage Cancer & Leukaemia Foundation instead of birthday presents.

The sporty Moorgate teenager, who plays rugby union and league for Sheffield Swans and Wakefield Trinity respectively and swims for Rotherham, said she was grateful for the care of staff at The Royal Orthopeadic Hospital in Birmingham and at Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield.

Lulu’s justgiving page has already been pledged almost £5,000 in donations, prompting the Thomas Rotherham College student and her family to raise their target to £10,000.

And staff at Oakwood High in Moorgate, which she left in July, did their bit on Sunday by taking on the Sheffield 10K.

Students sponsored 30 staff a total of £4,000 to complete their run in bald caps and pink tutus — at the request of Lulu, who is having treatment for the bone cancer Ewing’s sarcoma. 

Lulu’s dad Stephen Blundell completed the 10k with Lulu’s 14-year-old brother Seth, bringing their fundraising total to £5,500.

Aston resident Jenny Joyce and her two sons, Alex and Thomas, also took part in the event by completing the mini-runs and raised over £2,000.

Stephen added: “Over £11,000 has now been raised for the Teenage Cancer Trust by all the people who have been inspired by Lulu.”

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lulu-blundell to donate to Lulu’s appeal page.