A Walsden man who works in the field of cancer research is striding back to his roots to benefit two charities.
Darren Roberts now lives in the Calder Valley and works as a research associate doing cancer research for the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research - which is a cancer Research institute and part of the University of Manchester - at the Christie hospital.
And he is returning to his Cumbrian roots for a fundraising walk on May 11, a 40-mile test through the Lake District.
Darren says: “I was born and raised in Barrow but have lived in Walsden for the last eight years with my wife, daughter and dog!
“The 47th Keswick to Barrow walk is an annual single-day 40 mile walk - a mere 1.5 marathons! - through the Lake District to raise funds for a range of charities, of which you can find out more details by logging on to www.keswick2barrow.co.uk. This year will be my second event. The walk has about 3,000 participants in 2013.”
This time out Darren has organised three teams of walkers, a total of 29 people, from the Paterson Institute to take part. Darren works closely with the Peritoneal Tumour Service at the Christie, which is one of only two teams in the UK involved in the treatment of a rare cancer, pseudomyxoma peritonei.
“I get to see some of the amazing work they do, so this is one way in which I can help support both the clinical team and the patients who go through so much. I’m walking to raise funds for the Christie and Cancer Research UK. People can support me either at http://www.keswick2barrow.co.uk/sponsor/welcome.asp?ID=7490 or by contacting me directly at darren.roberts@manchester.ac.uk,” he said.