A sponsored walk...with a difference

This is the first time I’ve ever posted a charitable appeal on LinkedIn.  Please read on to find out why.

Richard Farquhar is currently engaged in a charity fundraising activity that has never been done before.  Starting in March last year and ending in April, Richard will be walking between all 60 racecourses in mainland Britain, covering about 3,000 miles and raising as much money as possible, to be split equally between two charities: Pancreatic Cancer UK and Racing Welfare.  Full details and progress updates are available here: https://www.walkingthecourses.com/.

So what’s this got to do with me?  Like Richard, I work in asset management; like him, I have been a lifelong horseracing enthusiast; and like him, I lost a parent to pancreatic cancer - my mother died three years ago next week.  Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest of all the common cancers, with:

- a five year survival rate of 3%, compared to 50% across all types of cancer
- an average time from diagnosis to death of just five months

This has not changed in 40 years, in part due to low levels of research funding.  Pancreatic cancer accounts for 5% of all cancer deaths in the UK (around 9,000 annually), but only attracts 1% of the overall cancer funding budget from the major funding bodies.  By raising funds and promoting awareness Richard aims to do something about it.  Here’s how you can help.

This Friday (12th February) I will be joining Richard on the Ascot to Newbury leg of Walking The Courses, to support him and to honour the memory of my mother.  You’re very welcome to join us, of course, but if you can’t, then the next best thing is to donate some money.  It’s too late for Richard’s father and my mother, but your donations could make a difference for future sufferers.  Here is the Walking The Courses online giving page - please use it generously:

Thank you.

Quentin.