A 70-year-old Bath resident is planning to walk 300 miles throughout September to raise money for the Royal United Hospital’s cancer services, as a thank you for 11 years of outstanding care.

Photo courtesy of the RUH
Alan Morley is aiming to achieve his goal by taking part in The Forever Friends Appeal’s virtual walking event My Walk of Life Marathon.
The event is open to people of all ages who would like to fundraise for the hospital by walking 26.2 miles during September.
Alan said: “I had bowel cancer in 2009 and after surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the RUH I was given the all clear in August 2015.
“However a year later it was discovered that I had a different and rare cancer called pseudomyxoma peritonei which affects three people per million per year worldwide.
“My treatment was done at one of the two hospitals in the UK that treat this cancer, however all my ongoing diagnostic tests and oncology consultations are conducted at the RUH.
“So, I am fundraising to say thank you to the staff for looking after me for the last 11 years.
“I have been walking during lockdown in anticipation of the annual Walk of Life. I thought 26.2 miles in a month would be easy, so I have decided to walk at least a marathon a week until the end of September – I have set my target of 300 miles.”
There’s still time for people to sign up to take part in the My Walk of Life Marathon which aims to raise much-needed funds for the Royal United Hospital.
Karlie Evans, Events and Community Officer said: “We are grateful to people like Alan who have signed up to support our local hospital and we hope his story inspires others to take part.
“With this year being so different for all of us, we have replaced our physical Walk of Life event with this virtual walking event.
“It’s completely up to you how you decide to complete the 26.2 mile challenge, you can do it your own way over 30 days.
“Why not take this opportunity to get out and discover the great outdoors or tot up your miles in your own home or garden.”
By taking part in the virtual walking event for The Forever Friends Appeal, the charity will be able to provide funding for the hospital’s wards and departments and towards its major campaigns and appeals such as the Dyson Cancer Centre and Speech Therapy Appeal.
Participants can also choose to donate their sponsorship to a particular ward if they wish.
To make your step count for RUH staff and patients sign up to the My Walk of Life Marathon today.
It’s free to register and if you raise £100 by 30 September you will receive a medal. For more information, visit: www.mywalkoflifemarathon.co.uk.