A schoolboy is hoping to raise £1,000 by walking to beat breast cancer this Sunday.

Jake Myer, 12, who lives in Edgware, has taken part in the Generations Walk on Hampstead Heath every year since he was seven.

Started in 1998 by Cheryl Stakol after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the annual event has raised more than £300,000 for Breast Cancer Campaign.

The charity funds breast cancer research across the UK and Ireland, making a significant impact on breast cancer for the benefit of patients.

Jake, who attends JFS school in Kenton, said he had started taking part in the 5km walk and raising money with his family beause he wanted to help cure cancer.

He added he had been motivated to fundraise by himself after his aunt died of cancer three years ago. 

He added: “After she died I realised how bad cancer was then and wanted to raise money by myself.”

Jake has already raised £830 and is hoping to reach the £1,000 mark in time for the walk.

He said: “I’ve been raising money through word of mouth and telling people it’s a good cause.

“The walk is really fun. The first time I did it I thought it was a race so I ran and beat 500 people.

“I’m hoping the weather will be better this year than it was last year.”

Jake’s mother Charlotte said how proud she was her son had raised so much money independently.

She added: “We’d been doing the walk because I’m friends of Cheryl and we wanted to support her.

“My aunt Barbara died three years ago on the day of the walk. Jake had a very special relationship with her.

“Since then we’ve been doing it in her memory and to prevent other people suffering from this terrible disease.”

Money raised from this year's Generations Walk, called because it involves people of all ages, will go to fund chemotherapy research at the University of Southampton.

Mrs Stakol added: “I’m so pleased that, year on year, we have so many fantastic supporters who come along to the walk and help Breast Cancer Campaign continue funding vital research.

“Having had breast cancer, I know how much this disease affects women and also their loved ones, so it’s important we keep working together to help find a cure.”

Click here to sponsor Jake.