A university graduate who lost his stepson to cancer is taking on the London Marathon in his memory.
Oliver Russell, from St Columb Major in Cornwall, is running the world-famous race to remember 18-year-old Rhys, who sadly lost his life last year after a brave three-and-a-half-year battle.
Rhys was diagnosed with melanoma in November 2021, aged 15, after discovering a mole on the top of his head, and despite having removed the tissue around the area, the cancer was found to have spread to his spine a year later, and eventually throughout his body.
He sadly passed away at home on 15 March 2025.
Oliver and Rhys’s mum, Lauren, received support from the national charity, Young Lives vs Cancer, and is supporting them in the marathon.
The couple were also studying for their nursing degrees at the University of Plymouth’s Truro School of Nursing throughout Rhys’s treatment - and his encouragement for their work continues to inspire them.
Oliver, who is now a practice nurse with St Austell Healthcare, said: "Lauren and I were devastated, but we made a promise to Rhys, and each other, to make every single moment we had left with him as special and meaningful as we could, and in return, he made us promise to carry on working and studying and to be the best nurses we could be.
"He wouldn’t allow us to give up.
"We both went into nursing to help people, and the support he gave us, even in the latter stages of his life, was incredible.
"The University team were all so compassionate, and while my studies were delayed, the staff were so supportive.
"I’m not a runner, but I wanted to do something big to honour Rhys, so I am looking forward to this challenge and raising money for YLVC.
"I will be holding him very close in what I do."
The London Marathon, which is set to take place on Sunday, April 26, is one of the country's biggest marathons, first established in 1981.
Share