AJ Digital goes that extra mile - five times over - for children with cancer

Two team members from digital construction specialists AJ Digital are set to take on a 50-kilometre ultra marathon this May to raise funds for My Shining Star, a UK charity that supports families of children diagnosed with cancer. The race, which takes place at Bewl Water, on the Kent/Sussex border, will see the company’s founder Christian Thomas and Ryan Donoghue run five miles further than a traditional marathon — literally going the extra distance to help ease the financial pressures faced by families during cancer treatment.

The gruelling 50km run is nearly five miles longer than a traditional marathon, but for these two, every extra mile is symbolic, representing their commitment to going further for families in crisis.

The ultra marathon is being run in aid of My Shining Star, a UK charity that provides emergency financial support to families of children with cancer. When a child is diagnosed, the emotional toll is unimaginable, but so is the financial burden. Parents often have to leave work, relocate temporarily and face rising costs of travel, accommodation and basic necessities.

My Shining Star steps in during this critical time, offering real, practical help to keep families together and focused on what matters most - their child’s fight for survival.

“We chose this challenge because it reflects the strength and perseverance we see in these families every day,” says Christian. “Fifty kilometres may test our bodies, but nothing compares to what these kids and parents go through.”

AJ Digital is urging supporters, clients, colleagues and the wider public to back their campaign. Every donation, big or small, helps provide vital support at a time when families need it most. Donating is easy, secure and efficient via the team’s JustGiving page, where all funds go directly to My Shining Star, ensuring maximum impact with minimum overhead.

“We’re going the extra mile - five times over - so a family does not have to choose between work and being by their child’s hospital bed,” added Ryan. “If we can help ease even a fraction of that burden, every step will be worth it.”

How You Can Help

Visit the team’s JustGiving page to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ajdigital
Learn more about My Shining Star: https://www.myshiningstar.co.uk

About My Shining Star

Founded to bring light into the darkest of times, My Shining Star is a UK charity that offers non-means tested, emergency financial support to families whose children are undergoing cancer treatment. The charity helps with essentials such as travel, accommodation near hospitals, utility bills and basic living costs - ensuring families can remain together through treatment, no matter the financial strain.