Whiteley GP clocks up more than 350 miles on his bike for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at Home challenge
AFTER a charity was forced to cancel all its fundraising events due to the coronavirus outbreak, a GP jumped on his bike to help raise cash to carry on the fight against cancer.
Dr Richard Roope, who works as a GP in The Whiteley Surgery, clocked up more than 350 miles as part of Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at Home, which was launched back in May after the charity had to cancel its Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events due to Covid-19.
The father-of-three, who is Cancer Research UK’s senior clinical advisor, was part of a team challenge throughout July with fellow Cancer Research UK funded GPs around the country.
The 57-year-old, who lives in Winchester with his wife Sara Jane, said: ‘I could see the devastating effect that Covid-19 was having on Cancer Research UK, with its fundraising efforts so badly hit.
‘As a team we wanted to do something – to make a small drop and help fill up an emptying ocean so that the charity can continue with its vital research.’
‘Keeping active is particularly important now, to help both physical and mental wellbeing after months of lockdown.
Last year Race for Life participants in the south east raised more than £2m to help with vital research to develop more effective treatments for cancer – a disease that will affect one in to two people in the UK at some stage in their lives.
Jenny Makin, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman for Hampshire, said: ‘At a time when it felt like everything has been at a standstill, there is one thing that hasn’t stopped, cancer.
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‘Our priority as a charity is ensuring that people affected by cancer are getting the support they need right now.
‘From a run or 5K walk around the garden to limbo in the living room or a bike ride - there is no wrong way to Race for Life at Home.
‘The message is very much that while we might be apart, we’re doing this together.’
Visit raceforlife.org for more information and to donate to Dr Roope’s fundraising page visit fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/richard-roope-cycling-running-and-walking-to-beat-cancer