Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance staff have completed an ambitious challenge to collectively walk, run, swim or cycle 75,000km during the NHS’s 75th birthday year.
To celebrate the incredible achievement – and the 76th birthday of the NHS – members of the team took part in a very wet and windy walk across the length of the Humber Bridge and back on Tuesday 9th July 2024.
There was more than a fair share of rain on the victory parade, but spirits remained high, and there was a stop for cake and coffee halfway through.
The starting pistol of the 75,000k Challenge was fired at Health House in Willerby on Tuesday 4th July 2023. The team used a treadmill and exercise bike in a race against time to clock up a total of 75km in 7.5 hours. They smashed their target in the allotted time, totting up an impressive 183.04km – three times the length of the entire North Yorkshire coastline. The event raised £135 for NHS Charities Together.
Throughout the year, members of the team recorded their Strava results and used their smartphones to track their progress with a Totaliser in Health House. Many in the team are parkrun regulars, which helped hugely, but everyone played their part.
Other special events incorporated into the 75,000km Challenge included Cancer Alliance staff taking part in the Cancer Research UK Shine Night Walk in York on Saturday 30th September 2023. Undaunted by the elements, members of the team walked 10km around the city in the rain, dressed in illuminous outfits, and raised £630 for Cancer Research UK.
The Cancer Alliance achieved its goal ahead of the one-year target. After adding up the team’s kms for week commencing 17th June, their total reached 75,750kms.
Dr Kartikae Grover, Clinical Director of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: “The Cancer Alliance has done remarkably well to achieve 75,000kms in under a year. And in doing so, the team has also highlighted the benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle.
“Whether it’s walking, swimming, cycling, or running, regular exercise can help people to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. That can also lower the risks of 13 different types of cancer, and evidence shows that plenty of exercise can help reduce the risk of bowel and breast cancer in particular.
“People who are living with cancer can also gain positive benefits from taking part in physical activities. They may have fewer side effects and might even recover from the disease quicker. And many forms of exercise bring opportunities to socialise and learn new skills.”
