A Dundee man with cancer has inspired the top official of a leading national charity to join his team and tackle a Monster challenge.
Bruce Tasker (50) spoke so passionately about the support he has received from the Dundee Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre that Laura Lee has signed up for his 101 Dundonians team, taking on the Maggie’s Monster Bike and Hike.
Laura is chief executive officer of Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, the organisation that is spreading across the UK, providing support in a non-clinical atmosphere.
The Monster Bike and Hike is the charity’s largest annual fund-raising event in Scotland and involves cycling and hiking through spectacular Highland scenery. Bruce took part last year despite undergoing treatment and is planning to lead 101 Dundonians in this year’s event taking place on April 30 and May 1.
Laura said, “Bruce came to an event in Edinburgh and spoke incredibly passionately about the difference Maggie’s is making to him as he lives with cancer. He told me that he was taking part for the second year running and was in the process of setting up a team of 101 Dundonians.
“Bruce’s energy and enthusiasm won me over. He is going through a very testing time and for him to take on this additional challenge is inspiring.
“I wanted to be there to support him and the hundreds of other people taking part. Maggie’s couldn’t make the difference that we do without this support.
“2011 is a huge year for Maggie’s,” she added. “We will be celebrating the 15th birthday of our very first centre in Edinburgh and we will also have 15 centres open or under development.
“Maggie’s will be supporting more people living with cancer than ever before and events like the Monster Bike and Hike are crucial in allowing us to do that.”
Laura has been involved with Maggie’s Centres from the start as she was the cancer nurse for the co-founder of the charity Maggie Keswick Jencks.15th birthday year”People recognise that Maggie’s model of support works and to have 15 centres open or planned in our 15th birthday year is incredible,” Laura said.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in making that happen and I’m thrilled to be taking part in Monster, having worked at it so many times in the past. It is a special event in a stunning part of the world.”
The bike and hike sees teams bike 30 miles from Fort William to Fort Augustus before hiking eight miles (to bronze at Invermoriston), 22 miles (to silver at Drumnadrochit) or 43 miles (to gold at Inverness). It can be a 24-hour challenge for some.
The team got some practice in at the weekend by walking from the Tay Bridgehead car park, through Tentsmuir Forest, around Leuchars and on to St Andrews. The challenging 22-mile taster was to raise funds for both the Dundee Ninewells and Kirkcaldy Forth Park drop-in centres.
Bike and Hike veteran Gordon Kirk who last year completed the gold challenge of cycling 30 miles from Fort William to Fort Augustus and then walking 43 miles on to Inverness said, “It’s great to be doing this again. Hopefully I can improve on last year’s finishing time of 22 hours.”
He said it was great to have new people along for this fantastic experience “People like Pam Shepherd, Karen Wotherspoon, Julia Cargill and all the other people committed to making the 30th April event a huge success.”
Bruce Tasker added, “Support from the public and businesses in Dundee, Tayside and Fife has been fantastic and makes such a difference in making Maggie’s a sanctuary for people living daily with cancer.”
Anyone wishing to take part in Maggie’s Monster Bike and Hike 2011, raise funds in your own event, donate or volunteer for Maggie’s Dundee, should get in touch with Tracey Curry on 01382 632999.
To find out more about the event visit www.maggiescentres.org or call 0300 123 1801.