A Timsbury man whose friend’s father died just seven weeks after being diagnosed with cancer is taking on the Scilly Swim, a 15km swim around the Scilly Isles, to raise money for the charity that helped him.
Ian Munday’s friend, Larisa Green, from Wells, lost her father, Richard, seventy, to cancer of the lining of the bile duct in January this year.
Ian, 51 and deaf since birth, has always been a keen swimmer and after a back operation in early 2013, it was suggested he do some swimming as part of his rehabilitation. From struggling to swim 200m in September, by Christmas he was swimming 100 lengths (2,500m) non-stop.
Ian said: “The Scilly Swim Challenge is a challenge for me; it will be just over two years since I had my back operation and almost exactly two years since I started swimming again and struggled to swim 200m without stopping. However, some people face challenges every day after a cancer diagnosis, so they will be my motivation.
“Cancer does not discriminate, it does not matter who you are or how fit you are. We both know people who have lost the battle against cancer or are currently fighting cancer. Macmillan Cancer Support provide so much support to cancer patients and their family that it really was an easy choice when Larisa and I decided to do this challenge for charity.”
Ian and Larisa, who is also deaf, hope to raise £1,000 when they take part in the Scilly Swim Challenge this Saturday, 5th September. They will be joined by only 148 other people taking on the six swims, averaging 2.5km each and six walks averaging 1.7km.
All of the money raised will be used to fund Macmillan’s vital cancer services, from specialist nurses and doctors, to advice and grants for cancer patients with financial problems.
Locally over the years, Macmillan has funded the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service at RUH Bath, over thirty Macmillan professionals including Breast Service and Associate Medical Director for Cancer, a Macmillan GP, B&NES Macmillan Citizen’s Advice Bureau Benefits Advice Service and a physical activity programme.
Macmillan Fundraising Manager, Kaeti Morrison, said: “We are very grateful to Ian and Larisa for taking on this challenge.
“I hope that they inspire more people to join Team Macmillan, because it is only with the support of our local community that we are able to continue funding our vital services.
“With more people being diagnosed with cancer, the need for our services is only going to grow. We want to make sure no one has to face it alone, but we can’t do it without the amazing people who fundraise for us.”
To find out more about taking on a challenge for Macmillan or to find out how else you can get involved, contact Kaeti on: 07801 307063 or email at: [email protected]
If you would like to support Ian and Larisa reach their target, you can sponsor them at: www.justgiving.com/Ian-Larisa