HealthOnTrack

One remarkable man is planning to walk the entire length of the Thames River in aid of cancer research. Stuart Gray (42) from Woodley is himself a cancer patient who is living with a rare form of the disease that affects the head and neck. The cancer fundraiser will benefit a charity that supports sufferers of this type of cancer, although the awareness that he will raise will benefit cancer patients from all around the UK, and hopefully encourage similar cancer fundraiser events and efforts.

His walk will span a massive 200 miles and will begin near the source of the Thames River, the Thames Head, near Kemble in Gloucestershire and end at the estuary in Crayford Ness in Kent. Gray hopes to complete his Thames River challenge in ten days, and will begin his walk on April 14th. Those who wish to follow his progress and offer support for his cancer fundraiser can join him for a section of his walk, or cheer him on from a Thames cruise boat.

His cancer fundraiser idea is nothing compared to the challenges he has had to face living with the disease. The father of two was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and underwent extensive radiotherapy treatment at the Royal Berkshire hospital (RBH) and surgery at John Radcliffe Hospital. Thinking he was on the road to recovery the cancer returned in the form of a tumour, and he had to undergo a gruelling operation to remove his sinus, eye and palate. Since then he has made a remarkable recovery and has developed a strong motivation to raise money to support research into head and neck cancers.

Gray’s cancer research fundraiser will raise fund for Heads Up, a charity established by the ears, nose and throat department of the John Radcliffe Hospital to carry out further head and neck cancer research. To sponsor his cancer fundraiser visit his website or simply show your support by foot or Thames boat hire.