Cancer patient says bike 'like therapy' as he takes on charity ride
A man with bowel cancer who was told he has less than a year to live is taking part in a charity motorbike ride to raise awareness of men's health.Paul Eaton, who is undergoing palliative chemotherapy, will join the Salisbury Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride (DGR) later.The 61-year-old bought a motorbike and rekindled his passion for riding after being told he had terminal stage four cancer last year, as the disease had spread to his liver."I didn't think I'd be here to do this year's ride," he said. "Just being well enough to ride as much as I can, if the weather is good and I am feeling good, it is a good day."
The Salisbury ride is one of thousands taking place globally to raise money for the men's health charity Movember, which funds work in men's mental health, prostate and testicular cancer.Over the past decade the DGR has seen more than 500,000 riders take to the streets, often on classic motorcycles and wearing vintage clothing.The event began 10 years ago as a small ride in 64 cities and is now hosted in 1,000 places.
DGR founder Mark Hawwa said: "Together with Movember, we've turned passion into purpose – funding life-changing research and programs for prostate cancer and men's mental health. We can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings."
Mr Eaton, who lives on the border of Wiltshire and Dorset, near Shaftesbury, said he wanted to take part in the ride as he experienced a prostate cancer scare in 2016, and had lost close friends to mental illness."I have to accept things," he said. "The DGR family have been supportive."Promoting the conversation around getting yourself checked for prostate cancer is a really important part of what happens at the event, along with male suicide prevention."
Mr Eaton sold a motorbike when he was diagnosed last year, but decided to buy another one and start riding again when his cancer progressed."Anybody with a hobby that's as encompassing as riding a motorcycle will tell you that it's therapy."It's very uplifting, you feel alive, you're focused on the ride and I'm not worried about the fact that I've only got a few months to live."
Dan Cooper, Movember's director of innovation, said: "Every ride, every dollar, every story like Paul's helps fund life-saving research, vital support services, and community programs around the world. "These rides spark real conversations and powerful moments of connection - helping men live longer, healthier lives. That's the power of this movement."
The 26 mile (42km) ride starts in Compton Abbas airfield at 10:00 BST and finishes at Old Sarum airport, Salisbury, at 12:00 BST.
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