Luke’s epic triple ironman challenge in tribute to mum
HE’S CONTINUING HER FUNDRAISING
A MAN, whose life was turned upside down when his mum died from a brain tumour, is to take on an epic triple ironman challenge in her memory.
Luke Lambert, 29, of Beverley, is training for the three-day event in Allerthorpe, which begins on July 22.
His mother, Jenny Lambert, was diagnosed with a grade 4 brain tumour in November 2016 and underwent emergency surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite this, Jenny sadly died in November 2019, aged 62.
Following her diagnosis, Jenny raised an incredible £8,400 for Brain Tumour Research. Luke has followed in her fundraising footsteps and nine months after completing an ultramarathon across the Jordanian desert, will be taking on the triple ironman challenge in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
The charity funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more into brain tumour research to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.
Luke, a director at Land Drainage Consultancy Ltd, said: “I’ve seen first-hand the devastation a brain tumour has on families, but only 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to this awful disease. It’s clearly underfunded.”
Luke has already raised more than £21,000 together with seven friends for the charity after completing in October 2021 the five-day 250km Wadi Rum Desert Challenge in Jordan. They scaled sand dunes in the day and camped under the stars at night.
“The race was incredible,” Luke said. “It was the toughest physical challenge any of us have faced, but the team did great and all managed to complete the race. I developed severe plantar fasciitis in my right foot on the first day, which meant I couldn’t put any weight on my foot for the rest of the race.
“On the third long day, I was really struggling with my foot and was close to pulling out of the race at the 20km mark. I realised in my lowest state, that I really was doing it for Mum, and for everyone else who’s lives have been impacted by this terrible disease, and I really believe this is what got me through that dark time.”
As part of his triple ironman challenge, Luke will swim for 11.4km, cycle
for 540km, and run 126km over three days at the event.
He said: “When I came back from Jordan, I felt like I needed to have something else planned to work towards. I like seeing how far I can push my body.
“Mum was always keen to push me to do things like this, and she came to see me do a triathlon in Allerthorpe. It will be nice to have family and friends coming to watch this time.”
Brain Tumour Research is calling for a national annual spend of £35m to research brain tumours in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer.
The disease kills more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, according to the charity.
In the UK, 16,000 people every year are diagnosed with a brain tumour. Tragically, Brain Tumour Research also states that less than 12 per cent of those diagnosed survive beyond five years, compared to an average of 50 per cent across all cancers.
Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are very grateful to Luke for taking on another epic fundraising challenge and supporting our cause.
“Jenny’s powerful story reminds us that brains tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any time. We remain focused on finding a cure, to help prevent more families from having their lives turned upside down by this terrible disease.”
To find out more about Luke Lambert’s fundraiser and to donate to it, visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/lukes-triple-ironman