A YORK outdoor events company is celebrating after helping to raise more than £1m for a children's cancer charity.

Over the past three years, Rat Race Adventure Sports - based in Shipton-by-Beningbrough - have been partnered with nationwide charity Children with Cancer UK.

In 2015, Rat Race founder Jim Mee set a goal to raise £1m for the charity, which invests money in vital specialist research to save children's lives and keep families together.

The company host endurance races and adventure runs, putting thousands of competitors through their paces.

Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship money for the charity - and are given free entry into the race if they hit a certain target.

A portion of the entry fee from other racers automatically goes to the charity, too.

Jim is delighted to have reached his goal, saying: "Children with Cancer UK's mission is to improve the survival rates and quality of life in young cancer patients, and we're absolutely humbled to have been able to support such invaluable work.

"We also thank our beloved Rat Racers, because it's their efforts in fundraising that has made this fantastic achievement possible."

Every week in the UK, more than 70 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer.

One such youngster is Isaac Fell, a ten-year-old from Lincolnshire, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in February 2016.

The sports-mad lad, who takes chemotherapy drugs daily, is set to take on Rat Race's "Young Mucker" event later this year, having also completed the 3km course in 2016.

Children with Cancer UK have supported Isaac and his family throughout his care, and his mum Liz - who is also training for ultra marathon "The Wall" - says the charity's "personal touch" has made a real difference.

A charity spokesperson said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to Rat Race and everyone who has raised money at their events for Children with Cancer UK.

"[Their] fantastic fundraising efforts have meant we've been able to fund vital specialist research to help save lives.

"It's only thanks to amazing supporters like Rat Race and all the incredible Rat Racers who like pushing themselves to their limits that we're able to fight the injustice of cancer in children."

For more information visit ratrace.com and www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk.