A 73-year-old grandfather and cancer survivor from North Wales is preparing to cycle more than 1,000 miles unsupported across Europe to raise money for sarcoma cancer research and support for those affected by the disease.
John Burson MBE, who lives near Abergele in Clywd, is no stranger to challenges. Not only is he a cancer survivor – having been diagnosed and survived cancer on four occasions – but he has been a search-and-rescue dog trainer for over 40 years and was given an MBE for his services to search-and-rescue in 1995. He was also a mountain rescue team member for many of these years. In 1988, he was called to Lockerbie, Scotland, following the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 that claimed 259 lives. His expertise and that of his colleagues in training mountain search and rescue dogs proved crucial in the aftermath.
John’s remarkable life took an unexpected turn in 2021 when he discovered a lump at the top of his leg. Swiftly referred to the hospital, he was diagnosed with a pleomorphic soft tissue sarcoma. He underwent surgery at the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen to remove the cancer and then had six weeks of radiotherapy at Christie Hospital in Manchester. He is now cancer-free but has regular checks every six months.
Now, three years after his diagnosis, John is determined to give back. In September, he and his son Matthew will embark on a six-week unsupported cycling journey through Europe. They will catch a ferry from Dover to Dunkirk then John and Matthew will cycle along the French and Belgian coasts before continuing across the Netherlands and then down the Rhine to Paderborn in Germany. They will then plan the next part of their journey. Though there is no set finishing date, the entire journey is expected to take about six weeks.
‘I have a very understanding wife,’ quipped John, who has two grandchildren. He also has a plan for where they will stay each night. He said: ‘I am a member of a community called Welcome to My Garden. This is for slow travellers who are either hiking or cycling. We open our gardens for folk to camp overnight for free. It is a great way to meet like-minded local people throughout Europe. We will buy our food locally and cook on our lightweight camping stove.’
He said: ‘After I was diagnosed, I had some dark moments where you think “what about this” and “what about that” but I contacted Sarcoma UK’s Support Line and they were brilliant. They really gave me reassurance. After my experience with sarcoma cancer, I wanted to do something meaningful to support Sarcoma UK. Their support was invaluable during my treatment, and this unsupported ride is my way of saying thank you and helping others facing similar challenges.’
Carly McDonald, Sarcoma UK’s Support Line Advisor, said: ‘We’re deeply moved by John’s commitment to giving back. His experience with our Support Line exemplifies why this service is so crucial. When John reached out to us during his ‘dark moments’, we were able to offer him the reassurance and information he needed. Our Support Line had more than 5,000 contacts like John’s last year. John’s journey and his dedication to raising both funds and awareness will undoubtedly inspire others facing sarcoma and highlight the importance of having access to reliable support during difficult times.’
John hopes to raise £1,000 for Sarcoma UK.
To donate to John, go to John Burson is fundraising for Sarcoma UK (justgiving.com)
