Community comes together to make giant strides for cancer care

£80,000 raised at Royal Surrey Charity’s sponsored walk

Royal Surrey Charity’s third Stride for Cancer Care, which took place on Sunday (6 October), saw cancer patients and survivors, and those walking in memory of loved ones, come together once again to raise an incredible £80,000 to support world class cancer care. 

Sponsored by CBRE, 260 walkers took part in the event – including 60 Royal Surrey staff – choosing from four distances: 5km, 10km, 15km and the ultimate challenge, 25km; with the longer routes taking in stunning views of the North Down’s Way and the Hog’s Back. 

Money raised from the walk supports patients who are treated at our Royal Surrey Cancer Centre. 

Marianne Dabbs, our Associate Director of Operations for Oncology, walked the 10km route on Sunday (having completed the 25km in previous years). She explained why the money raised makes such a difference to our patients: 

“Events like these raise vital money that makes a huge difference to the services we can offer our patients. Recently, Royal Surrey Charity gave £750,000 in funding to support the refurbishment of our cancer centre and building work has recently been completed.”

She continued: “The support and donations really help to make the centre even more comfortable and welcoming for those living with cancer, and means we can buy the latest equipment and invest in research and treatment to provide extraordinary cancer care. We see first-hand the impact of this on our patients and we are so grateful for your support. 

"From all of us at the cancer centre, a very big thank you to everyone who took part – we hope to see even more of you at Stride for Cancer Care next year!"

Laura Turner, our Head of Radiotherapy, added: “It was interesting as the route took us past the cancer centre. You only have to look at the centre today to realise what a difference the charity makes to our patients and staff who work there. The refurbished centre, which Royal Surrey Charity supported, looks incredible, and the environment is so much nicer for patients to go through their treatment journey and for staff to come to work every day.

“We wouldn’t have been able to achieve half of what we’ve done without the charity's support.”

Many of those who took part were patients, who wanted to walk to give back for the incredible care they’d received. Like Jane, who took part in the 15km with husband Nick. She said: 

“I was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and thanks to the amazing care I have received at the Royal Surrey Cancer Centre, I am still here today! I want to thank all the staff from the bottom of my heart for their prompt and caring treatment plan. I am making strides just to say thank you for the care I have received.”

Walkers enjoyed a warm up and water and snacks kindly provided by Guildford Nuffield Health, face paint provided by Michelle Kerslake, a chance to grab a selfie under the balloon arch, the option of a foot and leg massage, kindly provided by Natural Light Wellness Spa, and refreshments along the way.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the event, especially to our wonderful event organisers, XNRG, and to Chris Mann Photography and Martin Bamford for generously donating their photography services for the event. Thanks also to Bluedot Display for creating our banners. 

Sandy Lowry, Community and Events Fundraising Manager, said: "It was wonderful to see so many staff taking part on the day to support the event, our Trust charity, and our brilliant cancer centre. We have been absolutely blown away by the support and it's been fabulous to see how the event, which started in 2022 with just 60 walkers, has grown year on year. Thank you to everyone who came along on the day – and to all those who told patients about the walk. We can't wait to do it all again next year!"

Stride for Cancer Care will be back in autumn 2025 and we hope to see you there! We’ll bring you details very soon, or register your interest below to be the first to hear when registration opens. 

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