No letting up for fundraiser Ivan
A veteran charity walker is planning his latest trek - despite being diagnosed at 80 with terminal cancer
AVETERAN charity fundraiser is going ahead with his final event this October – despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Ivan Huxtable’s annual Exmoor Ramble, in aid of charity, is a fixture in North Devon. But this September’s walk is likely to be his last after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Mr Huxtable, 80, has been organising the Exmoor Ramble for nearly 30 years. He has raised money for more than 20 charities, including more than £100,000 for CLIC Sargent and more than £50,000 for North Devon Hospice.
In a sad twist of fate, Mr Huxtable is now being cared for by the hospice he has cared for over so many years. His charity work started after he lost his sister to leukaemia aged just nine. Her death came just six months after losing their father in a farming accident in 1947.
Mr Huxtable is North Devon born and bred, and is one of the area’s best-known characters, which is why his Exmoor Rambles have been so popular. He said: “We’ve been doing this for 29 years. We’ve raised money for lots of charities in that time, but the hospice has been the main one recently. We have raised well over £50,000 for them, but I honestly couldn’t tell you an exact figure. I’ve lost count.
“I was diagnosed with leukaemia about 15 years ago, but it never caused me too many problems. I was even working full time until a few years ago.
“Last summer I was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had two operations in August to get on top of that. But when they scanned me again, they discovered a lump in my groin. I had the top doctor and lead cancer nurse in the room, so I knew it wouldn’t be good news.
“They told me it was lymphoma, which was untreatable. They asked if I minded being referred to North Devon Hospice, and I said ‘I know them well!’” Mr Huxtable is now being supported by Karen Moss, one of North Devon Hospice’s clinical nurse specialists, who visit patients in their own homes to help with medication and pain management as well as offering other support.
“Karen is a great help,” Mr Huxtable said.
“She had visited me a few times before the lockdown restrictions were in place, and now we speak over the phone regularly. She’s been very supportive.”
Despite his own battle, he was determined that this year’s Exmoor Ramble will go ahead.
“I rang the hospice and said, ‘You must be struggling because of all this coronavirus’. And of course, they are because all the fundraising has stopped with everyone indoors.
“So I spoke to a few of my friends who help me with the Exmoor Ramble and they said they would help
make it happen. They have all said that if they can help in any way, they will, so the support I’ve got is amazing.”
Mr Huxtable’s sons, Brian and Paul, are helping to make sure this year’s Exmoor Ramble goes ahead no matter what.
“We’ve got our orders from Dad,” they said. “It’s certainly poignant, because we don’t know if he will be with us when the walk takes place in October.
“The doctors said to us back in September that he wasn’t likely to be here by Christmas. But he is, he just doesn’t give up. His mind is as sharp as ever, even though he gets tired very quickly now.”
They hope to attract a record number of walkers this year as a tribute to the amazing charitable work that Mr Huxtable has done over many decades.
It will be an 11-mile circular walk, starting and finishing at Brendon Two Gates, with a shorter option for those who prefer.
Mr Huxtable’s sons said: “We’ll walk through some of Dad’s favourite spots and will hopefully see all sorts of wildlife, including red deer. He knows Exmoor like the back of his hand, so he knows the right places to take people. That’s why we hope lots of people sign up to join the Exmoor Ramble. It’s always a brilliant day out.”
Ali Hunt, from North Devon Hospice, said that Mr Huxtable was one of the area’s true legends.
“I’ve known Ivan as long as I’ve been involved with North Devon Hospice, which is more than 20 years. You could not wish to meet a nicer man, who has such a sharp wit and the most generous spirit.
“What he has done for charity over the years, most notably the hospice, is simply incredible. It was such sad news when I spoke to Ivan and learned of his diagnosis, but I know that he will approach this with the most admirable positivity.” Mr Huxtable said he hoped the Exmoor Ramble would continue for a long time.
“The support I’ve had from people to make it happen every year is amazing, so I know that they will carry this on for me. My sons Brian and Paul will make sure of that, along with my grandchildren William, Danny, Charlie and Maddie. I’d especially like to thank my wife Edna for all her support down the years. She has been tremendous, and I’m a very lucky fellow all things considered.”
The 29th annual Exmoor Ramble charity walk will take place on Sunday, October 4, national restrictions allowing, and will offer a stunning tour of the moor’s scenery and wildlife, designed by someone who knows it better than anyone. To sign up, and to support those being cared for by North Devon Hospice, visit northdevonhospice.org.uk
What he has done for charity over the years, most notably the hospice, is simply incredible
ALI HUNT, NORTH DEVON HOSPICE