A great-grandad is marking being cancer-free after 11 years by trekking 60 miles to help a hospice.
Ralph White had surgery for a prostate sarcoma in 2012 then a bowel tumour led to a stay in Manchester’s Christie Hospital in 2021
Just days later, in January 2022, he marked a decade of living with cancer by walking two miles a day for 10 days to raise funds for North West-based children’s unit Derian House.
Now Ralph, 77, is trekking the distance from his home in Barrow, Cumbria, to the hospice in Chorley, Lancs, in the grounds of his local leisure centre. He completed the first two 20-mile stages in late November and will do the last leg shortly, having raised around £700 so far.
Ralph said: “To me, these challenges are really important. I’m still here and thriving, and I have The Christie to thank for that.
“Not everyone is as lucky. I want to prove that people who have had cancer are capable of doing something like this, all while raising money for a fantastic cause.
“I initially wanted to go further but my family managed to rein me in. I am lucky to have such wonderful support.” Ralph and his wife Lynn have three children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
When he was first diagnosed, his prostatic stromal sarcoma had spread to the bladder so he had that removed.
Then just before he was due to get the 10-year all-clear he was found to have bowel cancer.
He said: “It’s been mentally and physically tough at times – I have two stomas so have had to adapt to that – but I’m doing well and am getting the most out of life.” His first walking challenge of two miles daily to mark a decade since diagnosis began just 10 days after he left hospital.
Rachel Connolly, colorectal clinical nurse specialist at The Christie, said: “He’s such a lovely man who just has a zest for life and I’m so happy that he’s doing so well after everything he’s been through.”
Ellie Smith, community fundraiser at Derian House, said: “We are in awe of what he has managed to achieve…we are so grateful for the awareness that he has helped to raise.”
- The fundraiser can be found here
