Young Chesterfield man takes on 200km run for family and friends battling cancer

A young Chesterfield man is to take on a 200km running challenge for cancer research after seeing ‘too many’ of his family and friends struck by the ‘terrible disease’.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Twenty-one-year-old Josh Ryder-Flint is to run the distance from his home to Newcastle during December to raise both cash for the Cancer Research UK charity and awareness about the disease.

Josh says his nan, Enid Wilson, has beaten breast cancer twice, the second time forcing her to have a mastectomy, and his grandad Trevor Young is in remission for myeloma, which saw him have several vertebrae removed.

Josh Ryder-Flint, 21, is raising cash for Cancer Research UK.Josh Ryder-Flint, 21, is raising cash for Cancer Research UK.
Josh Ryder-Flint, 21, is raising cash for Cancer Research UK.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A close family friend, Carla Nixon, is in remission after stem cell treatments and transplants, and a work friend and colleague Debbie Davison is currently fighting stage two melanoma.

Josh, who works at town bowling alley Chesterfield Bowl, admitted his challenge was ambitious but said he was determined to ‘smash it’.

“Too many people I love are falling ill to this horrible disease,” Josh said. “It’s time to do my bit and help make a change.

“I have pledged to run 200km over December, equating to the distance between Chesterfield and Newcastle, to help in any way I can to eradicate this deadly disease, that takes away any loved one it can.”

Josh Ryder-Flint will run 200km during December.Josh Ryder-Flint will run 200km during December.
Josh Ryder-Flint will run 200km during December.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Josh added: “In return, I ask you to please donate anything you can to fight it, the sooner we come together and pledge to help stop this, the sooner we’ll get to spend longer with our loved ones.

“It’s ambitious, but I’m training hard and hope to raise £1,000. If we can reach this, brilliant. If we can smash this I’ll be so happy.

"I will know with every stride, every kilometre, I’m helping beat cancer.”

Cancer Research UK funds scientists, doctors and nurses to help beat cancer sooner, as well as providing vital cancer information to the public.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The charity says that over the past 40 years survival has doubled, thanks to the great progress research has made.

To help Josh reach his target, visit his fundraising page on Go Fund Me to make a donation of any amount you can afford.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.