Story
In 2020 I began fundraising by taking on physical challenges and many of you may be aware of some of the campaigns I have completed so far.
In 2020 I raised over £4,000 for the Mouth Cancer Foundation by completing a 10km walk
Then, for Guy’s Cancer Charity
In 2021 I raised £900 by joining the CHANT team to complete the St Thomas’ abseil
In 2022 I raised £4,250 by taking on 22 different challenges throughout the year
In 2023 I raised £2,270 by organising and completing “Board Bikes and Boots”
In 2024 I raised almost £12,000 by repeating “Boards, Bikes and Boots”
Now, in 2025, with your help, I hope to raise £2,500 by taking on my toughest challenge yet and completing four endurance events, the likes of which I have never attempted before.
26th April – RACE TO THE CASTLE.
https://www.race2thecastle.com
A 40km (25mile) paddle board dash along the river Trent from Nottingham to Newark.
I will be part of the 18 strong Paddle Cabin team from East Peckham in Kent as we join a fleet of 350 paddlers racing to the finish line.
9th – 13th July – THE GREAT GLEN EXPEDITION.
A five day, 95km (60mile) unsupported expedition from Fort William to Inverness in Scotland along the Caledonian Canal and crossing the entire length of Loch Ness, paddle boarding by day and camping on the shores of the Lochs by night.
23rd August – LONDON SUMMER WALK.
https://www.ultrachallenge.com/london-summer-walk/
A 42km (26mile) walk starting at Woolwich and passing many iconic sights along the Thames Gateway including The Olympic Park, Lea Valley, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, Cutty Sark, The 02 and back to Woolwich Barracks.
14th Sept - LONDON TO BRIGHTON CYCLE.
The famous 88km (55mile) ride from Clapham Common to Brighton seafront including the tortuous Ditchling Beacon.
To finish of my challenges, I will join hundreds of brave souls at the flagship event of the Guy’s and St. Thomas' Charities and complete my fourth abseil from the roof of St. Thomas’ hospital.
https://guyscancercharity.org.uk/support-us/fundraising-and-events/events/abseil/
Guy’s Cancer Charity invest in supporting Guy’s Cancer to provide the highest quality cancer care from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. They fund groundbreaking developments in care and treatment, pioneering research, innovative ideas, and new technologies, as well as supporting the inspiring individuals behind every moment of progress: the tireless Guy’s Cancer team.
Any money raised will go on to fund life-changing care at Guy’s Cancer, above and beyond what the NHS can provide- including supporting head and neck cancer research and breast cancer care.
Here are just a few of the amazing projects that were recently funded by donations from generous sponsors like you.
• They funded research which found that a bacteria can ‘melt’ head and neck cancer. This research will help further knowledge of how bacteria and cancers interact and is the first step in optimising head and neck cancer treatment outcomes for patients – by helping to develop kinder treatments with less side effects. This bacteria could act as a potential predictive biomarker for the efficacy of head and neck cancer treatment. For more information visit Guy’s Cancer Charity website: Research finds bacteria ‘melts’ head and neck cancer - Guy's Cancer Charity
• Did you know that Guy’s and St Thomas’, which Guy’s Cancer is a part of, boasts the largest robotic surgery programme in the country? Robotic assisted surgery is minimally invasive, so patients spend less time in hospital and recover faster. This is innovative work is supported by Guy’s Cancer Charity. For more information visit Guy’s Cancer Charity website: Ben’s work at the forefront of cancer care - Guy's Cancer Charity
• They also support patients to have access to Cancer Hair Care, who provide vital services to help patients to navigate the physical and emotional experience of cancer related hair loss – whatever their gender, age and hair type. For more information visit Guy’s Cancer Charity website: Supporting patients facing hair loss - Guy's Cancer Charity
Many of my friends and family have suffered from Head and Neck Cancer, Breast Cancer and several other types of this terrible disease. I’m sure you too have stories of loved ones who have lived through it or maybe weren’t lucky enough to beat it. But research like those shown here will continue to give everyone the chance for a better outcome.
In 2018 I was diagnosed with tonsillar cancer. I was lucky to be cured of the disease, but the treatment left me suffering life changing effects which continue to this day. Those effects include a dry mouth, fibrosis of the facial and neck muscles, lack of sleep, difficulty eating and drinking, intense fatigue, constant pain and ORN (osteo radio necrosis) of the jaw, aspiration and everyday risk of chest infection and pneumonia. You can read some of my story on the Guy's Cancer Charity website here
https://guyscancercharity.org.uk/stories/world-head-and-neck-cancer-day/
I was recently asked to take part in a clinical trial and I happily agreed to volunteer. so I received an infusion of a gene which, hopefully, will cause the saliva glands in my mouth to start working again. If successful, this could mean the end of a dry mouth for thousands of patients all over the world and might even cause them to eat properly again, get a good night’s sleep and maybe even reduce that awful fatigue.
So, for the next twelve months, while I will be attempting my personal challenges, I will be part of the research that has and will continue to improve the outcome of cancer treatments. I should point out that, before I ask you to support me in my challenges this year, none of the money raised will go towards this particular trial as it is wholly funded by an American pharmaceutical company and, although conducted by the Oncology team at Guy’s Cancer, it is not connected to Guy’s Cancer Charity.
I’ll be posting updates on Facebook and here on my Just Giving page so please follow me and make a donation if you can. If you can’t donate this year, please help me to reach as many people as possible by sharing the posts and telling all your friends.
Your sponsorship will help by funding valuable research that really does make a difference.
So, come on……
I CAN do this…...YOU CAN help……together, WE WILL beat cancer!