TOUR DE 4 IS A TOUR DE FORCE FOR CANCER RESEARCH

A bowel cancer patient receiving treatment at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre is taking part in a special cycling challenge for us on Sunday (7 September).

Chris Gaskarth, from Whale near Penrith, will ride 38 miles as part of Sir Chris Hoy’s new fundraising event, the Tour de 4.

Beginning and finishing at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome in Glasgow, this special ride aims to help change the perception of people living with stage 4 cancer, whilst also raising vital funds for cancer charities.

Chris, aged 67, is married to wife, Jane, and they have three children and four grandchildren and was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2022.

“In April this year, after nearly three years of cancer care and surgery, I had exhausted the NHS’s standard treatments.

“In June, following genomic profiling, I was selected for a clinical trial at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre. In the short time to date, this is showing encouraging results.

“At the Sir Bobby Robson Centre, you know that you have the best cancer research and development supporting you and that this is part of a much bigger picture in terms of cancer research too.”

Since receiving his own diagnosis, Sir Chris Hoy’s dream has been to get as many people as possible living with Stage 4 cancer, as well as their friends and families, to participate to whatever extent they can manage in the Tour de 4, raising money for the cancer charities that mean the most to them.

It is his vision to bring together people who have been affected by cancer, whether directly or indirectly, to challenge perceptions, inspire hope and raise vital funds for cancer charities.

Newcastle Hospitals and our Foundation are currently working on proposals to build a world-leading research and treatment facility next to the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

The proposed Sir Bobby Robson Institute would pioneer more ground-breaking innovation in cancer treatment and significantly increase the number of clinical trials available for patients across the North East, north Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

Construction is being funded by our Foundation, with £20million already raised by supporters and a fundraising campaign set to be launched to raise the final £10million needed for the project.

Sir Chris Hoy says: “It’s really important for me to shine a spotlight on what a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis can look like and demonstrate that it is possible to live well and lead a happy life alongside this devastating diagnosis.

“I’m so excited about the potential of this event and hope we can raise vital funds to help support the research and great work that is being done by so many charities in the UK.”

To sponsor Chris Gaskarth’s Tour de 4 efforts, please visit: www.justgiving.com/page/chris-gaskarth-1