Players from Chesterton Football Club are taking on a mammoth summer running challenge to raise money for children affected by cancer.

Members of the club’s Veterans and Under 10s teams are attempting to cover 2,026 miles, the equivalent distance from Chesterton to Santa’s Village in Lapland.

The challenge, which began on 1 July, will raise money to buy Christmas presents for children affected by cancer and support Bicester-based charity The Hummingbird Centre.

The centre provides support to people with cancer and their families across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

The fundraiser has a particularly personal connection to the club through eight-year-old Ethan Foster.

Ethan was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2022, when he was just four years old, and underwent treatment for more than two years before finishing in November 2024.

He is now in remission, although he continues to experience some side-effects.

During his treatment, Ethan and his family received support from The Hummingbird Centre, including its children’s service, complementary therapies and counselling.

Ethan’s mum Sophie said: “I was so nervous to step through those doors and sat in the car for a long time. I was in a world I didn’t want to be in.

“When I plucked up the courage to walk in, I was welcomed through those doors. Everyone understood. It was our saving grace.”

She said Ethan formed a strong relationship with Kelly, who manages the children’s centre, and benefited from meeting other children who understood what he was experiencing.

“They understood him. He felt normal when he hadn’t felt normal, especially when he went back to school,” Sophie said.

Ethan’s nine-year-old brother Freddie, who plays for Chesterton’s Under 10s, is taking part in the running challenge alongside mum Sophie, dad Lee, brother Oscar, 12, and five-year-old sister Imogen.

There is no requirement for players to run every day, with those taking part simply contributing miles whenever they can throughout the summer until the combined 2,026-mile target is reached.

Team manager Graham Berry, who organised the challenge, said Ethan’s experience had provided the inspiration for the fundraiser.

“Seeing firsthand the impact that community support has had on Ethan’s journey is the ultimate driving force behind this event,” he said.

“We want to pay that kindness forward to other families walking the same difficult path.

“I also have an ulterior motive and that’s to keep them fit over the summer, so for me it’s win win.”

It is the second major virtual running challenge Graham has organised.

In November 2020, Chesterton FC players ran a combined 1,001 miles, the equivalent distance from Bicester to Barcelona, in just three weeks.

The challenge raised almost £5,000 for Cancer Research UK in memory of Graham’s late father-in-law, Phi Alexander.

Mechelle Harris, Founder and CEO of The Hummingbird Centre, said: “We are so grateful to Chesterton Football Club for taking on this challenge in support of The Hummingbird Centre.

“Ethan’s journey shows exactly why our services matter, providing a place where children and families affected by cancer can find support, friendship and a sense of normality during an incredibly difficult time.

“We wish everyone taking part the very best of luck in their 2,026-mile journey and thank the whole community for getting behind this amazing fundraiser.”

Donations to Chesterton FC’s Lapland challenge can be made through the team’s GoFundMe page at gofund.me/16b142bb2.