A group of runners ran Sunday’s 10k event in St Neots to raise funds for charity and have been inspired to run next year’s London Marathon.

Team Emilio consisted of 15 runners, many of whom are new to running, from St Neots, and two from London, who were inspired to run in support of Emilio Saavedra, 8, from Eaton Ford, who has a genetic condition called Neuroflbromatosis, which creates tumours on the nerves.

Emilio’s parents, Mel and Jose, have already raised more than £50,000 for the charity through their Butterfly Kisses Charity Ball events and fundraiser Hannah Byatt hopes she and fellow runners can boost the total.

“We are hoping to do many more 10ks in the run-up to the marathon next year and we will also be organising other fundraising events such as quiz nights and family days to raise money for the Neuro Foundation. We are hoping to get the ‘town behind the team’ and hope that local people and businesses will show their support by coming to our various events, sponsoring us or simply cheering us on. We have received some fantastic support so far – Swift Stitch has provided us with team training vests, and Beacon Wealth Management, Jeffrey Mills Solicitors, Giggs & Co and Alarmsmiths have all provided us with sponsorship,” said Hannah.

Emilio attends Crosshall Junior School in Eaton Ford and has a younger brother called Luis and a sister, Mimi.

“We all know Emilio and his family in one way or another, a lot of us have children who are at school with him. Emilio has been through so much already in terms of his health, but he is always smiling. He has such a lovely character, and I know he is an inspiration to us all. If he can go through everything that he has been through with a smile on his face, we can run a few miles for him. The money raised will go directly to the Neuro Foundation. They have a 24 hour helpline so they can provide support to people with NF1 and their families. Mel and Jose work very hard every year to put on the Butterfly Kisses Charity Ball, so we wanted to do something to help their fundraising efforts. We started off as a team of four people for the marathon, but as word spread more and more people joined the team and Team Emilio was born.”