New Press Release – Easingwold Leukaemia Patient Going The Extra Mile To Beat Blood Cancer

An Easingwald leukaemia patient, who joined Sir Ian Botham on the cricket legend’s walk for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research earlier this month, is preparing to take his fundraising for the blood cancer charity a step further.

Harvey Greenwood, 39, has challenged himself to walking The Pennine Way, to ensure that blood cancer patients continue to have access to the best possible treatments.

“It was great to meet Sir Ian and spend some time with him, he’s an inspiration”, says Harvey, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in March 2001 and is able to manage the disease by taking daily medication.

“Without the research I may not be here today, so walking with Beefy and taking on The Pennine Way seemed like perfect opportunities to give something back”.

Setting out on 30 May, Harvey is aiming to complete his exhausting journey in less than three weeks by walking an average of 15 miles a day.

Undaunted by the gruelling 270-mile trek, which will take him from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland, the-father-of-two is determined to help Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research get closer to a cure.

Thanks to the support of friends and family, he has already raised a fantastic total of £2,000 to help the charity fund further groundbreaking research into leukaemia.

“Being told I had leukaemia was the most frightening time of my life”, says Harvey. “The doctors were amazed that I had walked through the door at all. I’ve been very lucky and I’m proof that the research works, but there’s still more to be done. I want everyone touched by leukaemia to have the chances I’ve had”.

Kate White, Director of Fundraising at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research says: “It’s fantastic that Harvey is doing so much to support Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and we wish him the best of luck with his walk – it sounds like the challenge of a lifetime!

All the money raised will help Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research invest in vital research into new treatments and cures for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research was previously known as Leukaemia Research. The charity, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2010, has changed its name to raise awareness of its longstanding commitment to research into all the blood cancers, including lymphoma and myeloma – not just leukaemia.

You can support Harvey by visiting www.justgiving.com/harveygreenwood

Walking with Sir Ian Botham in Manchester on Beefy’s 2010 Forget Me Not Walk

We could not have woken early morning to a better day – glorious sunshine and not a cloud in the sky – for the trip across the Pennines to meet up with Sir Ian Botham on the first day on his 2010 Forget Me Not Walk in Manchester.

The morning weather was befitting of the day to follow.

An easy trip across the M62 (how often can you say that!) left enough time for the family travelling from separate locations to gather for communal breakfast in Manchester city centre before heading to Marks and Spencer to meet with Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research walk organisers for my brief on how the cheque presentation to Sir Ian was going to work.

Outside M&S was a hive of activity with street charity collectors being briefed, walk organisers directing and police patrolling on horseback and motorbikes and the almost surreal sight of a dozen or so Pontin’s bluecoats!

My brief was simple – be in place at the press photocall area 15 minutes before Sir Ian was due to arrive and amongst other fundraisers with sizeable cheques of their own I would be ushered in for a handshake, hello and photoshoot – and to top it off we could do one with family as well!

So with instructions sorted and a few minutes to spare we had a good opportunity for some more relaxed fun family photos and time to chat with other fundraisers.

With a crowd gathering excitement grew as first the Sky news van team arrived shortly followed by Sir Ian’s support van and crew.

Within minutes Sir Ian arrived in amongst a hustle of photographers and TV crews then calmly and openly worked though his on-the-spot interviews and swiftly into the photoshoot.

The Mayor of Manchester and Pontins bluecoats headed up the cast followed by the star young fundraisers and then we were on!

A smiley Sir Ian greeted me, congratulated me on the amount raised so far as I explained my Pennine Way Challenge and turned to be ‘papped’, swiftly joined by Fiona, the girls, Mum and long time friend and marathon running supporter Jayne whom were all walking Beefy’s Manchester Heaton Park walk with me.

With photo’s completed Sir Ian then headed to the start line and with a loud countdown from onlookers started his 12 miles for the day and 10 days of walking.

With the ‘pizzaz’ done it was a leisurely return to the cars for the drive to Heaton Park where we would join the rest of the Manchester walkers for the final 4 miles with Sir Ian.

With the sun still beaming (yes – even in Manchester the home of rain!) we were met at Heaton Park by Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research banners, gazebo’s and booming music from the Pontins promo team entertaining the kids.

There was a real summer feel for the first time this year – shorts, t-shirts and picnics were the order of the day whilst watching a junior cricket practice and croquet whilst we awaited Sir Ian’s arrival!

As news of Sir Ian’s imminent arrival came in the 150 or so public walkers gathered to cheer him into the park and swiftly (and for some of us not so swiftly!) follow him on the marked route around the park.

It was a fab walk on an undulating course. I have never been to Heaton Park before and have to say I was impressed. The sheer size helps with the house centrally located with woodland walk areas, acres of green grass to chill out on, a large boating lake and whilst we were there a travelling funfair.

The route meant we had to keep criss-crossing paths which was great as you would see Sir Ian leading the way back up the hill you were heading down or turning a corner in the distance with a trail of walkers behind and creating a white (due to the T-shirts) snake of people trekking around the park.

With the walk completed and fun had by all it was chance again to catch up with Sir Ian (both on foot and in person!) for another chat and to get my copy of his autobiography signed which has been on my bookcase since 1994!

A fantastic day had by all with collectively thousands of pounds raised, which at the end of the day is what it is all about!

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