A man who lost his father to a brain tumour has completed an impressive cycling challenge to help find a cure for the disease.
James Potter’s 300-mile off-road challenge saw him pedal his trusty mountain bike an average of 60 miles a day over the course of five days. His journey started at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth on Tuesday 4th June and finished at our Centre of Excellence at Imperial College London, where James’ fundraising has sponsored three days of research in his father’s name.
The extraordinary cycle which entailed climbing over 22,000 ft, more than the height of Mount Kilimanjaro, has to date raised nearly £12,500, while James’ previous two cycling challenges raised a further combined total of £10,000 for Brain Tumour Research.
It’s all in memory of his dad, Anthony, who died in September 1988, aged 50, to a brain tumour.
Anthony (pictured below) had initially been diagnosed with a malignant melanoma and had surgery to treat the cancer. He was given the all-clear, enjoying a number of years of good health. However, the cancer metastasised to his brain, causing multiple inoperable tumours.
James said: “Dad’s brain tumours were terminal. The only treatment they could offer was palliative radiotherapy. When he received the devastating diagnosis, I was just 17. I have two brothers: Simon, who is three years older than me and Matthew, who was only five when Dad was diagnosed. It was a very upsetting time for all of us.”
He added: “I really wanted to make a difference and to do it in Dad’s name. He’s always in my thoughts. I’ve also known friends lose their lives to this awful disease and I’m keen to raise awareness of the fact that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer and that the incidences of, and deaths from, brain tumours are increasing year on year.”
To donate to James’ fundraising page go to www.justgiving.com/page/jamespotter24
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