A Kent man will tackle this year’s London Marathon dressed as a human bone to raise awareness of the rare cancer that claimed his father’s life just six months after diagnosis.
Elliott Cobb-Webb, 33, from Ramsgate, is transforming his grief into action by running the 26-mile challenge in the distinctive bone costume to honour his father, Paul, a retired police officer who died in March 2023 from aggressive sarcoma cancer at age 64.
The previous year, Paul had noticed a lump on his thigh. For three or four months, he dismissed it as just a knock before he went to see a physio. The physio was alarmed by the lump – which measured several inches – and told Paul to seek medical advice immediately.
He did and was diagnosed with pleomorphic soft tissue sarcoma in September 2022. The lump then started to grow rapidly and, within weeks, covered his entire thigh. Paul had an eight-hour operation to remove the tumour in November 2022. The surgery went well, and Paul went home to recover.
However, a follow-up appointment in December led to devastating news. Doctors told Paul that the cancer had spread to other parts of his body, including his heart and lungs. Paul’s cancer was incurable and he was to receive palliative care.
He was moved to University College Hospital in London in January 2023 and stayed there until he died aged 64 surrounded by family on 6 March 2023.
Elliott, a quantity surveyor and project manager, said: ‘Dad was an all-round nice guy. He was stoic and heroic but, if he had sought help earlier, maybe he would still be alive. It was just six months from him being diagnosed to passing away. If people see something sinister, they should not hide away, they should get it checked out.’
Elliott is running the marathon on 27 April for charity Sarcoma UK. He chose to run in the distinctive bone costume as it would help to highlight the charity’s work.
Elliott likes to keep active; he ran a marathon in 2019 and is a hockey goalkeeper for Folkestone Optimist. He said: ‘Dad always thought that I was mad with some of the running and cycling events that I did, and I can only imagine his reaction if I told him I was doing this. Using his story as inspiration to raise money and awareness for Sarcoma UK while pounding the streets of London in an iconic marathon like this would be a dream come true.’
Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Sarcoma UK’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, said: ‘Our hearts go out to Elliott and his family. Losing his father, Paul, to sarcoma in just six months shows why raising awareness of this rare cancer is so vital. Elliott’s brave decision to run the London Marathon in a bone costume is not only a moving tribute to his dad but will help shine a light on sarcoma – a cancer that affects 15 people every day in the UK. We’re incredibly touched by his commitment to helping other families affected by sarcoma while honouring his father’s memory.’
To donate to Elliott, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/cobbwebbruns
