WHEN you lose loved ones to cancer there’s not all that much you can do.

Unless, that is, you are a kind-hearted kid who takes to the road to raise much needed funds for the charity which cares for other sufferers.

Declan Bell and Tyler Carlton-Smith have both experienced recent deaths of family members to cancer.

But instead of mourning they pulled on their trainers - and have so far raised over £200 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The 11-year-olds, who both attend Langlee Primary School, decided to run the six miles from their home town of Galashiels to Selkirk Market Square.

And they completed their marathon effort last Wednesday afternoon.

Declan’s mum, Jodie Wilson, told the Border Telegraph: “They did this entirely off their own backs.

“There was a Marie Curie collection at Tesco and they asked if it would be possible to do some fundraising. They gave their names and addresses and within a few days a pack arrived with tee-shirts and sponsor forms.

“We are all really proud of what they have done.” The boys, along with Jodie, set off from Kingsknowes roundabout at 4pm last Wednesday.

They kept up a steady pace down through Netherbarns, along Boleside and over the old Tweed Bridge.

Despite a strong wind they kept going along the Sunderland Hall straight and on the A7 pathway to Selkirk Toll. And even the final uphill mile to the town centre didn’t slow them down as they reached the square in a time of 68 minutes.

Jodie added: “They had never done any long-distance running before this.

“They both play football at Gala Fairydean Rovers, so they are pretty fit, but I was still impressed with the way they kept going.” Many of their school friends and teachers at Langlee have already sponsored the boys.

And they plan to continue fundraising over the next few weeks to build on their running total of just over £200.

Marie Curie Cancer Care is dedicated to the care of people with terminal illnesses. And in 2012-13, they cared for 38,777 people across the United Kingdom and operate a network of 2,000 Marie Curie Nurses.