Port Talbot man to run Cologne Half Marathon in support of brave young cancer survivor

A Port Talbot man is preparing to take on the Köln Half Marathon in Germany to raise money for a charity that supported the family of a young girl diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer. Dale Fischer, 41, will run the race on October 4 in aid of LATCH, the Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity, inspired by the journey of Ava Grace Bird and her parents, Ian and Vicki. Ava Grace was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer that affects young children, and lost an eye when she was just one year old. Since then, she has undergone treatment, surgeries and ongoing hospital appointments while adapting to life with a prosthetic eye. For Dale, who has been friends with Ava’s father Ian since they were teenagers, the family’s experience has been both heartbreaking and inspiring. He said: “Ava is so brave and so resilient. Whenever people see photos of her, they see a smiling little girl, but they don’t always see the reality behind the scenes and the challenges she faces every day. “She is still having to go through things that most adults would struggle with, but she does it with a smile on her face. She is an incredible little girl.” Dale said one of the reasons he wanted to support the family was because many people do not realise that the challenges continue long after treatment and surgery. As well as regular appointments, Ava’s family must help manage her prosthetic eye care and support her emotionally as she continues to grow up after experiencing significant trauma at such a young age. Dale, who has a daughter of his own, said seeing the daily routines and responsibilities Ian and Vicki face has given him a greater appreciation of their strength. He said: “People see the hospital appointments and the surgeries, but they don’t always see what happens afterwards. Ian and Vicki are incredible parents and the amount they do for Ava every single day is amazing.” The fundraiser will support LATCH, a charity that provides emotional, practical and financial support to children receiving cancer treatment and their families across Wales. Dale said Ian and Vicki have often spoken about the difference the charity made during some of the most difficult periods of Ava’s treatment. He explained that LATCH supports entire families, helping parents cope with the pressures of caring for a seriously ill child while also ensuring brothers and sisters receive support and opportunities to create positive memories together. “LATCH have been incredible for them,” he said. “The support they provide goes far beyond medical treatment. They help families when their whole world has been turned upside down.” The challenge also carries significant personal meaning for Dale. The last time he ran the Köln Half Marathon was in 2016 alongside his mother. The race became a special memory for the pair, who completed it together while visiting family in Germany. His mother died from pancreatic cancer in 2024 after being diagnosed only days earlier. Dale said the family received the devastating news and she passed away just 12 days later. While the loss was sudden and deeply painful, he said returning to Cologne 10 years after they ran the half marathon together felt like the perfect way to honour her memory. “I wanted to make it special,” he said. “It’s the 10-year anniversary of the last time I ran Cologne and I ran it with my mum. Returning there feels like the right thing to do.” The race will be completed under the banner of Strength Beyond Silence, a voluntary organisation founded by Dale in 2024. The initiative was created to support survivors of childhood sexual abuse and encourage people to speak openly about their experiences. Since launching the organisation, Dale has used endurance challenges and fundraising events to raise awareness of causes that matter to him while also promoting the message that nobody should suffer in silence. Running the 2026 Cologne Half Marathon means that Dale hopes his challenge will not only shine a light on the courage shown by Ava Grace and families facing childhood cancer, but also commemorate his late mother and the inspiring organisation that he set up to help those suffering in silence.