Reality TV star Jake Quickenden joined a North Yorkshire man who walked 100 miles in 36 hours from Liverpool to Skipton in memory of his brother, who died from a rare cancer last year.
Jake walked the entire route alongside Chris Metcalfe, from Skipton, who was fundraising for Sarcoma UK. Jake is a celebrity ambassador for the charity and lost his brother, Oliver, age 19 to osteosarcoma in 2012.
Chris lost his brother Rob Metcalfe in February 2022, four years after he was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a type of soft tissue sarcoma cancer. Synovial soft tissue sarcomas are so rare they account for 3 out of every 10,000 of all cancer diagnoses.
So far the walk has raised £21,000. It is one of several challenges Chris has undertaken for Sarcoma UK in honour of his brother. He has climbed the Yorkshire Three Peaks in 8 hours, skydived in the Lake District, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and ran the London Marathon. Last November, Sarcoma UK awarded him the Gaz Emmerson Fundraiser of the Year Award at a ceremony at 10 Downing Street.
Rob was aged only 29 when he was diagnosed. In January 2019, he had surgery to remove a tumour from the soft tissue of his left lung. Unfortunately, the tumour grew back and within five weeks of the surgery it spread around his lungs, heart and windpipe. In February 2022, surrounded by his family, Rob passed away peacefully at home. His son Caleb was only four at the time.
Chris said: “My feet may be sore but it was worth every step to walk 100 miles for Sarcoma UK in memory of my brother Rob – and it was fantastic to be joined by Sarcoma UK ambassador Jake Quickenden, who is such a great supporter of this charity. One thing myself and Jake found ourselves saying while walking is that we were doing this because we had the choice to do a 100-mile walk – Rob and Oliver don’t.”
Sarcoma UK’s Chief Executive, Richard Davidson, said: “Sarcoma UK really does have some amazing supporters. Chris Metcalfe’s 100-mile walk from Liverpool to Skipton in memory of his late brother Rob was an incredible effort – and to be joined by celebrity ambassador Jake Quickenden was brilliant.
“Challenges like this are important for raising awareness about sarcoma and generating funds for critical research and support for sarcoma patients and their families. Too many families have had their lives upended by a sarcoma diagnosis and the heartbreaking loss it can bring. Rob’s story of leaving behind a young son and so much unfulfilled potential is all too familiar in the sarcoma community. We are grateful for Chris and Jake’s inspirational efforts, which will undoubtedly make a difference for patients and their loved ones impacted by this disease.”
To support Chris Metcalfe’s challenge and to contribute to Sarcoma UK, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chrismeccas
