Fundraising Highlights 2024 :: UCLH Cancer Fund

Reaching new heights

Thank you to four of our amazing fundraisers who really went above and beyond this September, taking on the first UCLH Charity abseil! They descended 16 floors down the White Collar Factory building in Shoreditch and have so far raised over £4,000!

Brian Jefferies, a patient at UCLH abseiled with his son Matt. “The abseil was daunting, but we were supported the whole way through. Such a fun day, and I’m so glad we could help give back to UCLH, who have been so supportive of my Dad during his cancer treatment.” - Matt Jefferies

“I am really proud to have the opportunity to fund raise for the UCLH Charity Cancer Fund. As Chief Nurse, I see every day, the impact the charity has on the experience of patients - from state-of-the-art equipment and building refurbishments to supportive care that makes hospital visits more comfortable and person-centred.” - Vanessa Sweeney, Chief Nurse at UCLH

From Oxford to Valencia!

A huge thank you to Robin Whalley, who ran the Oxford Half Marathon, and is gearing up for the Valencia Marathon this December! Robin is fundraising for the Cancer Fund, and EGFR Positive, in support of his partner Sarah’s treatment for lung cancer.

“I’d run casually for a few years, but it was Sarah, with 6 marathons and countless other runs under her belt, who encouraged me to sign up to run the Valencia 2024 Marathon with her! However, in April 2024, we got unimaginable news: Sarah was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. A genetic mutation called EGFR+ (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor). Our lives were turned upside-down.

She was instantly referred to University College London Hospital (UCLH) and under the guidance of an excellent clinical care team led by Dr. Keshwani she was prescribed a radical course of
chemotherapy and radiotherapy to begin at haste. Over the following months she became weaker and sicker from the side
effects. We rallied. I took care of her to the best of my abilities, but couldn’t have done it without the support of our family,
friends and the incredible staff at UCLH.

Since ending intensive treatment in July, Sarah has begun to recover but still goes for immunotherapy treatment, blood tests and other regular hospital visits. She is stronger; gradually returning to her job, doing gentle yoga and eating healthily. In
the back of my mind I hoped she would still be able to run the marathon with me but, as tough as she is, I knew this was now an impossible ask. Just the other day we tried to go for a run together, but after 2 minutes we had to stop. Her lungs just wouldn’t let her do any more.

This has left me even more compelled to complete the 26.2 miles, not just for me or us but to give something back to the people who continue to keep Sarah and I going through all of this.”

London to Brighton

This year, we had a team of 6 brilliant cyclists take on the London to Brighton cycle challenge. They tackled the 55-mile journey from Clapham to the Brighton seafront and raised an incredible £8,000 to support patients, staff, and research at UCLH.

John, who has been a prostate cancer patient at UCLH since 2012, cycled to thank the hospital for the “excellent diagnosis and treatment” alongside his son-in-law Simon. “Simon and I were at Clapham Common on our bikes, ready to go at 6.30am. As we live in Muswell Hill, that meant a very early start. The route was very well planned and signposted, involving a huge team of volunteers across the 55 miles of the course, marshalling at junctions and encouraging us as we rode past. Ditchling Beacon was a monster with a 13% gradient in places, so it was a very slow climb for me (and rather faster than him - he’s 30 years younger). But the run down to Brighton that followed it was a blast at more than 60kph! We really enjoyed it. Thanks to all our sponsors!”

Redford and Chipping London to Brighton 2024.jpg

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Congratulations to Richard Hafford and Milly Denman, who took on the Royal Parks Half marathon this October – you smashed it!

Milly says, “Having worked at the UCLH Cancer Clinical Trials unit since 2021, I have seen first-hand the impact innovative research is having on patients and their families, providing hope and support during extremely challenging times.”

Richard, a patient at UCLH, will be taking the challenge even further with an Ultramarathon at the end of October! “I enjoyed the day yesterday running 1:48:04. I am raising money for the charity as I am in remission, 3 years since my radiation therapy finished in Sept 2021. I had base of tongue cancer, and had my neck dissection and 6 week radiation all at UCLH and continue to attend the hospital regularly for check-ups. I sign up for runs 5k up to ultra marathons always to push myself and keep myself motivated. With the ultras there is always an element of not finishing, but I’m not afraid to put myself in these positions. It’s the signing up and the process. Helping keep my body healthy and mind positive. If I can help raise funds and awareness for the great charity all the better.”

Almaty Half Marathon in Kazakhstan

Imran and Natasha recently reached out to us, seeking more information about our charity and how they could support our efforts after their nine-year-old son, Aaran, was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. Aaran is currently receiving treatment from the team at UCLH, and as a way to thank the hospital for the care he is receiving, Imran has decided to take on a series of ultimate challenges to raise funds. His goal is to support the hospital’s children cancer care and help us purchase some essential equipment.

Imran’s fundraising journey began with the Almaty Half Marathon in Kazakhstan, where he has already raised a staggering $22,997 for our cause. We’ll be supporting Imran every step of the way.

You can follow his fundraising progress and support Imran at justgiving.com/page/imran-aziz-1724988453325

Run for the Cancer Fund!

If you’re feeling inspired, we have places available in the Hackney Half Marathon and London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2025. Join our team for either of these iconic London runs and help raise money to support UCLH cancer services.

London Landmarks Half Marathon 6th April 2025

Hackney Half Marathon 18th May 2025

Will’s 9,845 kilometre challenge + wildlife photography raffle update!

Thank you to everyone who took part in our wildlife photography raffle featuring prints from Rwanda-based photographer Will Wilson. Not just a photographer but a fantastic fundraiser, Will conquered an incredible 9845km virtual journey to cycle, walk, and row the distance from Kigali, Rwanda, to UCLH. Will raised £2,744.74 for UCLH cancer services to thank the team who treated his wife, Anna, for breast cancer.

“After the first few days of challenge and doing 40km a day I think my body was wondering what I was doing and what had happened to it… Once past that hurdle, the major obstacle was finding both the time and the equipment, either and indoor bike or rowing machine, each day to get the kilometres done alongside normal daily life which as a wildlife photographer includes quite a bit of travel across Rwanda as well as South Africa, the UK and Uganda!

Covering the daily distance has often been a solitary endeavour so the two highlights of the challenge so far have been when others have walked with me. The first was with all the students and teachers from my daughter’s school and the second was when some of the staff and families at the British High Commission in Kigali, where Anna works, walked with me."

Will finished his amazing challenge in June, and went straight on to the next one; a 24 hour treadmill walk, coming off only for comfort breaks, to raise awareness and funds for a Rwandan charity, Rwanda Cancer Relief.

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2024!

This year we had five fantastic fundraisers take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon, raising over £5,800 for UCLH cancer services!

Jess Munro “I wanted to run the half to set myself a new challenge and support the amazing care UCLH provides patients and their families. Being able to raise specifically for the cancer fund is extra special to me as my Grandad, James Hewitt, received care from UCLH for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia back in 1994 and more recently in 2016. Though he sadly passed away in 2017, under the incredible care of such lovely doctors, nurses, and general staff, the level of professional medical care, as well as genuine emotional support he and we received, truly made such a hard time so much easier. Knowing a loved one is being cared for and being given the best treatment possible is all you can ask for when they need to stay in the hospital for months on end. His first time under UCLH’s care in 1994 gave him 22 years of remission, 22 years filled with such fond memories, and if it wasn’t for his successful treatment, I would have never met or known him, and will be eternally grateful to UCLH for the 19 years that their care gave me with him.”

James Harris “Having worked in cancer services in one form or another at UCLH for around four years, I have seen the impact that UCLH Charity Cancer Fund can have on patients, carers and services at UCLH.”

Fabian Fernandes “Run for the people that can’t, give to those in need, and try your best to inspire others.”

Alex Phylactou and Samraj Nota ran in support of the Cancer Fund, following Alex’s treatment. “Having undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment at UCLH in 2018/2019, I am extremely proud to raise money for the amazing UCLH Cancer Fund.”

Fundraising Highlights 2024!