A Norwich policeman has pledged to cycle the length of the UK to
raise awareness of prostate cancer after seeing his friend battle
the disease.
Graham Finney, of George Berrow Road, was inspired to take on
the epic Land's End to John O'Groats challenge from Saturday 2 July
to Tuesday 12 July in support of his friend, Mark Kenealy,
who was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago when he was
just 49 years old.
Graham is hoping that his gruelling ten day journey will not
only help to raise awareness of the disease, but a target of £3,000
for The Prostate Cancer Charity along the way.
Graham, who is taking on the challenge unsupported alongside his
friend Kevin Hanner, said: "Mark's diagnosis happened so quickly
and the way he dealt with it has been amazing. I'd always wanted to
do something like this, but Mark's situation really galvanised my
commitment to take on this challenge. That and the fact that I am
getting old and it won't be long before I won't be able to do
it!
"I've always liked cycling, but my job means that I do a lot of
travelling in the car. I just don't get the exercise I used to and
began to notice I was sitting down more and more. Training for
Land's End to John O'Groats though has meant I spend as much time
on the bike as possible. I try and do a 50 mile ride on the weekend
and 25 miles of an evening. In the winter I did turbo training,
which was a bit dull, but now that summer is here, it's great to
spend as much time outside as possible."
Kevin, an Operations Manager of City Reach Health Services,
added: "With a history of working in frontline health services I
can not speak highly enough of the work carried out by The Prostate
Cancer Charity and the highly valuable support they provide.
I previously cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End in 2005,
but am I keen to see what it looks like going the other way."
To sponsor Graham, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-FINNEY