Prisoners and staff go the extra mile to help four-year-old Benny beat cancer
Inmates and staff to run, cycle, row, and ski to Rome
Prisoners and staff are set to unite to help raise vital funds to get four-year-old Benny Bahmanizad the pioneering potentially lifesaving treatment he needs.
Benny is battling neuroblastoma, which is the same type of cancer which afflicted Bradley Lowery.
After two years of treatment, Benny’s family thought their child was free from the disease, only for it to return in September (2025).
Benny is currently ineligible for clinical trials for potentially pioneering treatment here in the UK. His family need to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to pay for Benny’s treatment and aftercare in Rome which now offers his best chance of beating the cancer.
Benny’s cause has caught the attention of prisoners and staff at HMP Durham who will join forces on Thursday (April 23) to collectively travel the 1,763 km distance from the little boy’s High Shincliffe home to Rome in a single day, in solidarity with Benny.
An HMP Durham spokesperson said: “Participants will complete the distance using a variety of activities including running, rowing, cycling and skiing, with around 30 people expected to take part over approximately six hours.
“The effort reflects a deeply personal commitment from those involved, many of whom have been affected by cancer or have young children of their own, making the cause especially close to their hearts.”
The prison inmates and staff’s efforts will add to the £1,400 raised by Spectrum Community Health CIC, who provide health services at the prison.
One of those was Benny’s aunt, Julie, who organised the half-marathon walk around Durham City.
Julie said: “We have done it, it was brutal, but every step was for this little boy.
“We have laughed and wanted to cry but what an amazing achievement by everyone from Spectrum and the team at HMP Durham. I want to thank everyone for supporting us and I’m so proud of everyone.”
The “amazing” £536,700 raised to date means that Benny and his family can now move forward with plans to travel to Rome to access the potentially life-saving treatment he urgently needs.
Benny’s parents Nicola and Daniel said: “The support we’ve received has been nothing short of amazing. Knowing that so many people are behind Benny means everything to us. This has given us hope when we need it most.”
You can still donate to Benny’s cause via his JustGiving page.