A GROUNDSKEEPER at Les Quennevais playing fields is taking on a 106km walking challenge to raise money for the specialist hospital where his son is being treated for bone cancer.
While the “ultra-walk” is not until May, John Collier (53) has already raised over £5,000.
Mr Collier, who has taken part in the Round Island Walk 11 times, first heard of the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge through a friend who was taking part. At the time, Mr Collier’s 23-year-old son, Alex, had just received his shock diagnosis.
“He’s 23, doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke and thought he was healthy – and then he had a bit of a sore leg at the end of last year,” Mr Collier recalled.
Alex – who also works for Active, but at Fort Regent – saw his GP and, when painkillers did not help, he went for scans. It later emerged that he had bone cancer in most of his leg.
He is now undergoing chemotherapy in Southampton, as well as receiving treatment at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, and will need to have his knee and the lower part of his femur replaced.
Mr Collier said he was proud of the way that his son had dealt with the devastating news and resulting treatment, adding that Alex was “so strong-willed”.
“We haven’t had any tears or anything,” he noted.
Mr Collier is now balancing long training sessions with taking care of his son. He paid tribute to his “supportive” employer and his wife, whose commitment to caring for Alex meant that she spent her 60th birthday in hospital with him and their family.
The Royal Orthopaedic Charity, for which Mr Collier is raising funds, supports the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham.
“I’ve done charity events many times before, but I never thought about cancer as such because it’s never been personal to me,” he said. “Now, it’s incredibly personal.”
He originally set out to raise just £600 but has since smashed that target. By Tuesday 26 March, he had generated over £5,500, with more money continuing to arrive ahead of the walk.
The Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge takes place on 4 and 5 May and will see Mr Collier walk 106km, or 66 miles, around the island.
“Although I’ve done big walks before, this will be the furthest I’ve attempted,” he said.
He has been training by going for long walks on cliff paths and roads, with many of his routes starting and finishing at the rugby club.
As well as fundraising, Mr Collier said he wanted to raise awareness of the illness.
“This can affect anyone,” he warned. “Just because you think you’re young, fit and healthy doesn’t mean that you’re immune.”
Anyone wishing to donate or follow his training updates, can visit his JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/JOHN-COLLIER21.
