True grit as local man endures 10 mile race to support friend with cancer
Physical fitness fan and paramedic, Rob Bruton was inspired to take part in the grueling Paras 10 Mile Endurance Run after his friend Jane became diagnosed with cancer. The punishing 10 mile race sees the Parachute Regiment challenge individuals to complete the course in the fastest possible time whilst bearing a 35lb backpack. The race is held over undulating military land. Rob completed the course in 2 hours 47 minutes and raised over £1,200 for local medical charity Cobalt and Charlie’s cancer support and therapy centre.
These two local charities helped Jane and her friends and family. Local medical charity Cobalt, helped diagnose Jane’s condition and sadly that she was already suffering metastasis (the development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer) and Charlie’s cancer support and therapy centre provided Jane and her friends and family with emotional and therapeutic help.
Jane sadly died in June this year aged just 54 leaving behind her husband and three children.
Julia Jenkins, Head of Fundraising, Cobalt said ‘We’re very grateful for the generous support Rob has given us. The money raised will go towards the purchase of a new MRI scanner for our imaging centre in Cheltenham. The new scanner and the scanning room will be designed to create a more relaxing and comfortable experience for patients’.
Cobalt supports cancer patients throughout their journey by helping them to receive a timely diagnosis using state of the art scanning equipment. These scans provide doctors with vital information about the extent of the disease prior to treatment; and later to assess whether the treatment is working effectively, which ensures patients are accessing the best possible personalised care. The charity also provides research, training and education for medical professionals to learn more about the latest techniques and advancements and to share knowledge and best practice, improving care for patients.
Jo Sutherland, Director, Charlie’s said ‘We’re delighted Rob is supporting us. We are currently raising funds to provide Charlie’s Wellbeing Suite, which will give us three more therapy rooms, a ‘man shed’ and a dedicated Fitness Studio. Cancer can often make you not feel well enough to do anything and the diagnosis can come as quite a shock. Charlie’s provides a place for people to go where they don’t feel so lost’.
Jo set the charity up when at aged 31 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Charlie’s is a safe haven where people are able to come along and talk about what they have been through or even just talk about something completely different. The charity offers a number of treatments and therapies to cancer patients and their carers, given free of charge by professionals including reflexology, reiki, yoga, nail, hand and hair treatments as well as free pats and cuddles with therapy dog Whispa.
