A woman is taking on the TCS London Marathon in memory of her beloved grandfather – who was affectionately known as ‘King Rodwell’ – after losing him to a rare form of cancer.
Holly Rodwell Chance, 23, from Wavendon, near Milton Keynes, will run the 26-mile course on 27 April to honour Colin Rodwell, who died from myxoid liposarcoma in April 2024 at age 85. The retired chartered electrical engineer and founding member of Milton Keynes Rotary Club faced his nine-year cancer journey with ‘unwavering strength and boundless positivity’ – qualities his granddaughter has been channelling while training in the snowy mountains of Japan, where she works during ski season.
‘Grandpa was such an inspiration to me,’ says Holly, who remembers his final words of encouragement: ‘If you have learnt anything from me in life, it’s the power of positivity and never giving up.’
Colin was first diagnosed with myxoid liposarcoma in his thigh in 2015. There are an average of 72 cases of myxoid liposarcoma diagnosed every year in England.
He was referred to the specialist sarcoma unit at the Nuffield Hospital in Oxford. There, he underwent radiotherapy and surgery. However, in 2020, scans showed multiple inoperable tumours. Colin started chemotherapy at Churchill Hospital in Oxford but died aged 85 in April 2024.
Retired Colin, who was an electrical engineer with his own business, was a mainstay of the Rotary Club in Milton Keynes and took part in fundraising for a wide variety of causes.
Holly said: ‘He was a quick-witted, kind and generous man. We called him “King Rodwell”. He was genuinely interested in everyone he met and had a natural thirst for life. Colin loved his golf, bowls, exploring new places, and taking his grandchildren on laps around the lawn on the mower.’
Holly paid tribute to Colin’s ‘unwavering strength and boundless positivity’ throughout his illness. ‘He was so active – you wouldn’t have thought he had cancer. He refused to let cancer dictate his life’s course. Grandpa was such an inspiration to me and reminded me at every hurdle to never give up, although my hurdles were no comparison to the ongoing fight he was going through.’
A year on from Colin’s death, Holly will run the marathon on 27 April for charity Sarcoma UK. Holly, who has been working in Japan during the ski season, trained for the marathon in the snow in the Far East. She hopes to raise £2,400.
‘I had bought some spikes to run in the snow in Japan. I used to hate running, but I am driven to run in Grandpa’s honour, carry forward his legacy, and ensure his spirit lives on through my strides.’
‘Holly’s determination to honour her grandfather Colin’s memory through the London Marathon embodies the spirit we see in so many families affected by sarcoma,’ said Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Sarcoma UK. ‘Myxoid liposarcoma affects only about 72 people in England each year, making it an incredibly rare cancer that often goes unrecognised until it’s advanced. Colin’s nine-year journey with this disease and the profound impact he had on his family as “King Rodwell” reminds us why our work is so vital. Through dedicated fundraisers like Holly, we can continue to fund research, raise awareness, and provide support for patients facing this rare disease. By running those 26 miles, Holly isn’t just honouring her grandfather’s legacy – she’s helping ensure other families have better outcomes in the future when facing sarcoma.’
To donate to Holly, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/holly-rodwell-chance-1721644972967
