When Gungahlin teenager Jarrett Anthoney decided to compete in Sydney's City2Surf fun run, he knew it would be with the support of his sister Dainere.
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The 18-year-old wanted to do his bit to support Dainere during her fight with a brain tumour and help contribute to her extensive fund-raising for cancer research.
Despite losing Dainere, 15, in June, Jarrett completed the event on Sunday and recorded the highest individual fund-raising total of the event, collecting $49,550.
''I wanted to help her out and in the end it was a really great way for me to do it and complete the run in memory of her,'' he said on Monday.
''At first they told me I had to raise a minimum of $1000 and I thought that might be a bit hard, but then it was $3000 and $5000, so I thought I'd just see how it goes.''
After completing the gruelling fun run, family and friends told the Burgmann Anglican School student he was the highest individual fund-raiser out of more than 85,000 competitors.
''It was a pretty tough race and I had a bit of a sore knee as I was going but I decided to keep running and it got really bad towards the end,'' he said.
''I just thought of everything Dainere had to go through and how much harder it would have been for her and I got through in under an hour, which is a good time.''
The Canberra community rallied around the 15-year-old after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour - or high-risk medulloblastoma - in 2009.
Blogging and working to raise money for the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation brain tumour fund during her short life, Dainere published two children's books to support the fund.
When incurable tumours were discovered on her spine in February, doctors suggested she make a list of things to do in the time remaining. With her ''special list'' in hand, Dainere and Jarrett made plans, and he dedicated the event to her this week. ''She would be really proud of me and everyone who donated, especially with the fund-raising and the approach I had to the race,'' Jarrett said.
''It was her greatest wish in life to raise money for the fund and to raise awareness.
''I think I have done a good job for her but paediatric brain tumours steal the lives of many young people and it is a tragedy.
''I will keep doing what I can.''
■ To add your donation, visit www.fundraise.city2surf.com.au/Jarrett_Anthoney90
