FUNDRAISER Charlie Hempstead vowed 14 years ago that he would never attempt a marathon again.
But when the opportunity arose to help the desperately sick son of former professional footballer Jakub Sokolik, the 63-year-old knew he just had to dust down his running vest and mothballed trainers.
Charlie, programme editor and NLP match reporter for Isthmian League Premier Division side Horsham, is taking part in the Chasing Numbers Christmas Cracker on December 20 for an extremely worthy cause.
Hempstead running for Jakub Junior
He is running for three-year-old Jakub Junior, who has B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a fast-growing and aggressive type of blood cancer that occurs when the bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells.
Despite Czech-born Sokolik having lived in the UK for 10 years – playing for Liverpool, Southend United, Plymouth Argyle, Torquay United and Yeovil Town – his son is ineligible for NHS treatment.
The insurance cover has run out and the mega costly treatment of the illness has left the 31-year-old defender in debt.
So Charlie, whose Horsham side took on Sokolik’s former club Torquay in the FA Trophy yesterday, is hoping to raise enough money to help him cover the treatment of his son’s illness and to give the whole family a Christmas to remember.
“I know, I know – I’ve said countless times that I had no intention of ever running another marathon, and I meant it,” Charlie said.
“But sometimes things happen that change everything.
“When my friend Jakub’s young son was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, he thought that the costs would be covered by his health insurance.
“Even though he and lived and worked in the UK for 10 years, Jakub’s status as an EU national no longer permanently resident here meant that his son was not eligible for NHS treatment.
‘Any help you can give will be hugely appreciated’ says Charlie
“The insurance was initially adequate, but the relentlessness of the disease meant that more and different treatments were required and the cover eventually ran out.
“Achieving the correct treatment for his son’s illness has consumed Jakub, taking all of his time, not to mention money that he simply does not have.
“However, no parent can stand by and watch a loved child suffer, and Jakub borrowed funds to ensure his son’s survival.
“Working all hours to pay off those debts is one thing, but the sad reality is that this is an unforgiving disease and the costs are ongoing.
“The next phase of treatment has to be paid for and there isn’t enough money to pay for it, despite the generosity of many people who have put their hands in their pocket for the therapy so far.
“So, like I said, things change.
“That’s why I’m running the Chasing Numbers Christmas Cracker on December 20, having had no thought of ever doing a marathon again.
“I was 49 the last time and I’m 63 now.
“It will be a challenge, but an old geezer’s creaky knees are nothing compared to a small child’s entire future.
“Any help you can give will be hugely appreciated.”
To support Charlie and the Sokolik family, visit his Go Fund Me page at gofund.me/3d651b1f.
