25-05-2025
'My wife thinks I'm nuts': Dad battling blood cancer taking on huge cycle challenge
A dad of two battling blood cancer is set to cycle 250 miles across Scotland for charity.
Robert Howat, 50, from Kilbarchan, was diagnosed in 2024 with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, a type of blood cancer.
Despite the diagnosis, he plans to help fund research by raising money and awareness for Blood Cancer UK.
He will join two friends for a cycling challenge coast-to-coast from Stranraer to Eyemouth in June.
Robert Howat (Image: Supplied) The ride will take place over two days.
To donate to Robert's fundraising campaign for Blood Cancer UK, go to
He said: "When I got the diagnosis, I thought, what can I do to show people you can still live fully and help others while you're at it?
"I'm on watch and wait, so I go in for check-ups every few months, and I want to show people what you can do with a blood cancer."
(Image: Supplied) He will be cheered on by his wife, daughters, and friends, even though his wife called the challenge "mad" and thought he was "nuts" for doing it.
According to Robert, he was always fit and healthy and never smoked, so the blood cancer diagnosis came as a shock.
He said: "It's been a shock for the family, but I'm still trying to process why it's happened.
"I did everything right, I'm fit and healthy, I don't smoke, yet I've been dealt this hand."
The former police officer, now working at Glasgow Airport, admitted that the diagnosis and subsequent treatment could impact his ability to train as vigorously as he used to.
He said: "I have to be careful, CLL affects your immune system, so I need to avoid infection and balance exercise with recovery.
"I can't train like I used to."
Mairead Macleod, Scotland fundraising manager at Blood Cancer UK, said: "Having chronic leukaemia, a blood cancer, can be hard enough to navigate, and it's incredible Robert is still able to push himself to raise awareness and funds for Blood Cancer UK.
"Blood cancer is the UK's fifth most common blood cancer.
"It's because of the determination of people like Robert, we are able to fund more research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of blood cancers.
"He's pedalling us closer to the day where we beat blood cancer for good."
Robert hopes to encourage others grappling with a cancer diagnosis to live fully, saying: "When I was well in the past I've run marathons, done tough mudders, and long bike rides but this is different.
"This one means more.
"I'm doing it show people you can still live with a cancer diagnosis."
