A
surgeon at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital will be putting
two wheels forward with one of his patients for the inaugural
Wiggle Jurassic Classic bike ride to raise vital funds for Prostate
Cancer UK (formerly The Prostate Cancer Charity).
John
McGrath, a Consultant Urological Surgeon at the hospital, will
tackle the route along the famous and historic Jurassic coastline
in Devon with his patient, Eddie Broom, to fundraise for the
charity on Sunday 8 July, alongside more than 700 hundred of other
cyclists.
John
first met Eddie as his patient after Eddie was diagnosed with
prostate cancer in November 2010 and it was during a consultation
that the pair realised they had a shared love of
cycling.
By
chance, Eddie noticed that Prostate Cancer UK was launching the
Wiggle Jurassic Classic and so they both pledged to sign up for the
ride to fundraise for the charity and raise awareness of prostate
cancer.
John,
cycles to work at the hospital from his home in Exmouth, said:
"Prostate Cancer UK provides an absolutely essential role in
supporting not only our patients but also their families and the
clinical team who look after them. At the Royal Devon and Exeter
Hospital, we have always signposted patients to the Charity at an
early stage and used their booklets to help patients understand the
nature of their condition as well as the treatment options
available. As a keen researcher, it is also fantastic to see the
work that Prostate Cancer UK does in supporting cutting edge
endeavours to improve the success of treatments in this important
area. It is a great privilege to join Eddie and show our combined
support for the Charity."
Eddie,
66, of Little Johns Cross Hill, Exeter, added: "I would like to
urge anyone who is having symptoms which relate to prostate
problems to see their G.P. if they're worried. Even though I was
fit and lead a healthy life prostate cancer still affected me. I
chose to have a radical prostatectomy and now I'm monitored every
three months. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved
with my treatment and aftercare.
"I'm
looking forward to the challenge of the Jurassic Wiggle Ride. I
would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me for the ride,
with a special thanks to Hendy Van & Truck and Livery Dole
Garage in Exeter, who have donated £100, having previously
sponsored me in 1989 when I took part in the Exeter Half Marathon
with a friend who is registered blind."
Prostate
Cancer UK's Head of Community Fundraising, Claire Walsh, said: "We
are delighted to be launching our first Wiggle Jurassic Classic
bike ride this summer and thrilled that John and Eddie have signed
up in support of Prostate Cancer UK.
"The
event offers both budding and seasoned cyclists a great ride and we
hope people will show their support to John and Eddie in their
fundraising efforts. More than 40,000 men are diagnosed with
prostate cancer every year in the UK and every penny raised goes to
Prostate Cancer UK to plough into vital research and support
services."
To sign
up registrants should visit: www.jurassic-classic.org.uk
and for
more information can contact the cycling team by calling 020 8222
7158 or emailing cycling@prostatecanceruk.org. Both
distances cost £28 to take part in, with the 100mile route starting
from 7am and 100km from 8am.