GP racing to raise cash for research into cancer
DOCTOR TAKES TO TREADMILL IN RACE FOR LIFE HOME CHALLENGE
A GP is planning to Race for Life at Home to carry on the fight against cancer.
Ben Noble, Cancer Research UK strategy lead GP for the East Midlands, will be joined by medical colleagues across the country in a bid to clock up the distance from London to New York.
All Cancer Research UK Race for Life events this year have been cancelled, including those in Loughborough and Leicester.
The charity is instead urging as many supporters as possible to sign up for Race for Life at Home.
The challenge can involve running, walking, cycling, skipping or even a hula hoop session.
Ben, a 46-year-old father-of-two and GP at the Woodbrook surgery in Loughborough, will be taking to the treadmill over the next month to complete his 100km leg of the challenge.
He was among the first wave of men in the UK to take part in Race for Life last year, joining more than 1,000 people for the 5k event in Loughborough town centre.
He said: “I took part in Loughborough Race for Life with my family last year and hoped to do so again this year, but sadly the event has been cancelled.
“It was a really moving experience and I am keen to still be involved and do my bit for Cancer Research UK during a time when its fund-raising efforts have been so badly hit.
“Keeping active is particularly important right now to help mental wellbeing, particularly while many people are stuck at home.
“For me, that means using a treadmill as my job has been busier than ever and I need to fit my exercise around work commitments.
“Coming out of lockdown, I feel particularly concerned about the number of patients who are going to face a late cancer diagnosis when treatment might be more challenging, and all the people who haven’t been able to attend screening appointments.
“The work of Cancer Research UK will be more important than ever.”
Jane Redman, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman for Leicestershire, said: “At a time when it felt like everything has been at a standstill, there is one thing that hasn’t stopped – cancer. Our priority as a charity is ensuring that people affected by cancer are getting the support they need.
“Whatever people decide to do, we are immensely grateful for the support, now more than ever.
“If the idea takes off, we could be looking at hundreds of people in Leicestershire following Dr Noble’s lead and stepping forward to Race for Life at Home and perhaps collecting sponsorship to do so. Cancer is still happening right now and we want to do everything we can to help give people more tomorrows with their loved ones.”
For ideas on how to create a home challenge, call 0300 123 0770 or visit: raceforlife.org
It is possible to sponsor Ben individually via: fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/ cruk-gps-5k-around-the-uk