Latest news with #JohnOGroats
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
The Hull Boy goes the extra miles to set a new record
A 17-year-old known as The Hull Boy has described becoming the youngest person to run the entire length of the UK as "surreal".Marcus completed the journey from Land's End to John O'Groats on raising about £130,000 for a mental health charity, he said the 58 days of running had been "the best months of his life".Marcus – whose nickname comes from his love of Hull City FC – is the first person under 18 to have completed the adventure. The teenager, who lives with his parents in Malton, North Yorkshire, has openly talked about his struggles with his physical and mental health."At the age of 15 I attempted to not be here any more," he said."I was 145kg [22.8 stone], diabetic, struggling badly with depression, anxiety and OCD."As a young carer for his father he felt unable to speak out about his own struggles, so he said he bottled up his started to run one mile a day before taking part in his first marathon in September, accompanied by his friend Russ Cook – known as the Hardest Geezer – who made global headlines after running the length of by Mr Cook, he said his dream was to run the length of the UK, and he hoped to raise £20,000 for the mental health charity said the journey was "very tough" and that at times it was wet, dark and a "lonely adventure".But there were also some unforgettable moments, from running alongside deer to enjoying amazing sunrises and said that running for a good cause brought people together."It's been beautiful. The last few weeks have been surreal," he added. Celebrity attention His challenge caught the attention of celebrities, and on day four of the run he received a special Olympic medal holder Sir Mo Farah posted on social media saying: "Keep going champ! Anything is possible."Former NFL star JJ Watt also sent a message, saying: "Just over a year ago, you began a journey to change your life and along the way, you changed the lives of so many others."Marcus said he met many "incredible" people along the way but one of his best moments was when someone drove four hours to find him on the road and share their story about mental on BBC Breakfast on Friday, he told Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt that he went to use the toilet at a supermarket thinking he had raised £70,000, but by the time he came out he realised he had raised £100, said he would now be doing nothing for a few days apart from resting and spending time with his family and dog Bruce. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Prostate cancer brothers from Crawley complete car challenge
Two brothers who are both recovering from prostate cancer have completed a journey in a classic car from John O'Groats to Land's End raising funds for and Quentin Stacy from Crawley, West Sussex, finished their challenge on Monday in a 1958 Morris Minor brothers have so far raised more than £6,000 for Cancer Research said: "We're feeling weary but extremely happy to have completed the challenge." Both brothers were diagnosed with prostate cancer within months of each other in pair had prostatectomies and subsequent radiotherapy treatment at St Luke's Cancer Centre in Guildford, had hoped to raise £1 for each of the 2,700 miles (4,345km) they drove in the course of the two-week challenge. But they have so far raised more than double that figure. Mark Stacy said: "The warmth, support and kindness from all the lovely people we've met along the way has been truly uplifting and will live long in the memory."It has been emotional. "It has been quite the journey." Quentin Stacy said: "We have seen some fantastic scenery. "I've loved every minute of it. "The car has stood up to the test more than admirably."
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Shepshed man, 81, 'elated' to complete epic charity drive
A grandfather who underwent life-saving lung surgery has said he felt "elated" after driving the length of the UK for charity. Dave Whittington, 81, spent more than 30 hours behind the wheel of his 57-year-old MGC as he headed south from John O'Groats, arriving at Land's End on Whittington, from Shepshed in Leicestershire, said he set himself the challenge as part of recovery after he was diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in 2020."I'm very relieved both me and the car made it in one piece," he said. Mr Whittington, who was accompanied by his wife Thelma, 79, said the enormity of the challenge dawned on him when he reached John O'Groats at the northern tip of Scotland."I've had some health problems, and the car has hardly left Leicestershire in the past 15 years," he said."I thought, 'What on earth have we put ourselves up to?'"But we got all the way down to Land's End in Cornwall, 865 miles in all, without a single problem. I felt elated." 'We're still speaking' Mr Whittington, who has 10 grandchildren, underwent life-saving pulmonary endarterectomy surgery at Royal Papworth Hospital in nine-hour operation involved his heart being stopped and all the blood being drained from his body while clots and scar material were removed from his said he hoped the drive, which involved stops at number of pulmonary hypertension hospital centres, would raise awareness of the has also raised more than £1,200 for Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK and Royal Papworth Hospital Whittington added: "I want to thank everyone who has supported me and my wife Thelma. "We spent a lot of time in the car together - and we're still speaking."
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Prostate cancer brothers in classic car challenge
Two brothers who are both recovering from prostate cancer are embarking on a journey in a classic car from John O'Groats to Land's End raising funds for and Quentin Stacy from Crawley, West Sussex, travel to Scotland on Sunday before beginning their challenge on Wednesday in a 1958 Morris Minor Convertible. They hope to raise £1 for each of the 2,700 miles (4345km) they drive in the course of two weeks for Cancer Research UK. The brothers said: "We've decided to try and give something back by raising as much money as we can to help fund the ongoing research needed to beat this terrible disease." Both brothers were diagnosed with prostate cancer within months of each other in pair had prostatectomies and subsequent radiotherapy treatment at St Luke's Cancer Centre in Guildford, Stacy told BBC Radio Sussex: "The care, treatment and support we received has been, and continues to be quite outstanding, and we can't praise them highly enough." He said: "Cancer pretty much touches everyone these days."We were fortunate ours were picked up by the NHS and everyone should get themselves checked." His brother, Quentin Stacy, who is a classic car enthusiast, will be the driver on the challenge. He said: "They are cute little cars and very reliable. "My very first car was a Morris Minor."The brothers hope to arrive in Lands End on 27 May.
