Council leader puts best foot forward on 100km march for Cure Leukaemia
Three Midlands businessmen are set to take on an impressive 100km walk in July to raise funds towards the £1m Centre Appeal of blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia.
Martin Yardley, acting chief executive at Coventry City Council, lawyers Clive Read from Veale Wasbrough Vizards and Shakespeare Martineau’s Josh Hartle, along with Yardley’s teenage son Tom have formed a team taking part in Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones on the weekend of July 15 and 16.
The 100km route along Britain’s oldest road ‘The Ridgeway’ has marathon runners, experienced walkers and beginners all taking part and this year Cure Leukaemia is an official charity partner of the growing fundraising event. Clive, Josh, Martin and Tom all plan to walk the route in under 24 hours which will mean maintaining a very fast pace throughout and walking in the dark too.
The team has been inspired to take on this gruelling challenge for Cure Leukaemia after they met 49-year-old Deborah Harkins, who is Director of Public Health in Dudley. Deborah, who is from Belbroughton in Worcestershire, had acute myeloid leukaemia and is treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by Cure Leukaemia Co-Founder Professor Charlie Craddock CBE and Dr. Sandeep Nagra, whose position is funded by the charity.
As a result of Cure Leukaemia’s funding, Deborah has been given access to a ground-breaking treatment for her condition in the ‘FIGARO’ clinical trial and she’s currently making excellence progress. She said: “When you are hit by a blood cancer diagnosis you learn to treasure every single second and since I was diagnosed with AML in 2016 I have tried to make sure I make time for the things I love.
“One of those hobbies is walking and I have set myself a target of walking 1000 miles in 2017. I am only able to do this due to the world leading treatment I have had access to thanks to the Centre for Clinical Haematology and Cure Leukaemia. Without this treatment, I would probably not be here now but thankfully I am and still able to enjoy my walking.
“I was delighted to hear that Cure Leukaemia is one of the official charities for Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones and it is an event I would love to take part in. It may be too great a distance for me this year but I would like to wish everyone taking part for the charity the very best of luck.”
Clive Read, who brought the team together for the challenge believes meeting Deborah will really spur them on: “Meeting Debs was very inspiring and humbling and the bravery she has and is showing in her battle is an example to us and we will be thinking of her throughout our challenge. We will be walking through the night to complete the 100km within 24 hours.
“There will be no stopping and putting our feet up or having a cheeky pint along the way. We will be seeking to raise money with every single step but it will be worth it. And it is a small thing to do to make a difference to so many other people who need our help like Debs.”
All funds raised by the team will go towards Cure Leukaemia’s £1m Appeal to expand the Centre for Clinical Haematology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This £3.2m expansion is set to begin in May, with completion expected in November this year.
