AN ‘inspirational’ father with terminal cancer has raised over £6,000 for a support charity by completing a 100km cycle ride.
On Sunday, Ricky Marques (41) took part in the Mac100 challenge in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey, so that he could ‘leave a legacy’ for his three-year-old daughter and give back to the charities which have supported him.
He completed the challenge in four hours and 26 minutes and has raised £6,150 so far, with the help of Apex Group, who donated over £2,000.
However, Mr Marques explained, the 100 kilometres were ‘tougher than for most’. He added: ‘Because of the disease and the treatment, my lung capacity is at about 40 to 50% of what is normal.
‘When you’re cycling, you want all the air that you can get to your muscles, so with these limitations, it was hard.’
In November 2022, Mr Marques was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer which had spread to his lungs, lymph nodes, liver and bones.
‘I was told I had weeks to months to live,’ he said. ‘I’ve had some really dark moments and it’s not easy because I’m the father of a little girl.
‘But I decided I could either stay on the sofa all day, miserable and waiting to die, or I could get up and do something amazing and try to make a difference.
‘With the treatment, I started to gain some weight and decided I wanted to do something about that.
‘I bought a bike, and about a month ago, I saw an advert for the challenge and signed up.’
Mr Marques added that he also wanted to raise awareness that ‘this can happen to everyone’, saying: ‘I’m just a 41-year-old guy, and I want to make people aware to go to their GPs. If you feel something is not right, go and check.
‘I also wanted to give funds to an incredible charity like Macmillan because they were there for me and for my family when I needed them. Whatever you do, however you feel, don’t ever feel lonely – there are always these amazing charities around that are keen to help.’
He also thanked Jersey Cancer Relief, the Island’s oncology team, his trainer, Ian Williams, and The Cog & Sprocket for their support, as well as ‘every single person who sponsored me’.
‘Yesterday in the finish line, there were people coming to me and calling me an inspiration, but I look back and I see inspiration in every single person.
‘Sooner or later, it will happen to me – this cancer is terminal – but I always try and see the positive.
‘And I have this time to make memories for my girl.’
Those who wish to can donate at sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/entry/1043978.
