THREE GENERATIONS TACKLE CYCLING CHALLENGE FOR LOCAL CANCER HOSPITAL
Posted 20th June 2023
A grandfather who has been successfully treated for prostate cancer is taking on a gruelling 50-mile cycling challenge along with his son and grandson to raise money for the hospital who cared for him.
David Gilburt, 71, from Chester will take on the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride in July alongside Adam, 42, and Oliver, 13 to raise funds for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. David was cared for by The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017.
David had several rounds of radiotherapy at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Wirral and was keen to give back as a thank you for the care he received.
David’s wife Diana has also been treated by The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. Diana, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and received chemotherapy during the pandemic.
David explains; “I got lots of support during my treatment for prostate cancer and was able to have Diana with me. Not being able to be there for her during her own treatment due to COVID restrictions was incredibly hard for all the family.
“I’m really grateful to the team at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre who were able to hold Diana’s hand when we couldn’t be with her. But the most important thing is that the team successfully treated her cancer; she’s now well and cancer-free, as am I.
“Taking part in the Liverpool Chester Liverpool Bike Ride is my family’s way of giving back to the hospital that has supported us. Doing the ride alongside my son and grandson will be incredibly special – whilst I’m nearly 20 years older than their combined age, I’m still going to give it a good go!”
The family are hoping to raise £1,000 for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, with the money being used to enhance patients’ experience within The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s three hospitals as well as support research into new ways to treat cancer.
When semi-retired financial expert David isn’t training for his cycling challenge, he holds a number of consultancy roles and is a non-executive director on the Board of The Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust.
David adds: “Now that we’re both recovered from cancer and its treatment, Diana and I like to keep active and enjoy being busy. We’ve got a lot to be grateful to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre for.”
David’s son Adam adds: “The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has successfully treated both of my parents for cancer so I’m really grateful to them. It’ll be really special to cycle this challenge – and we are really looking forward to it and doing our bit for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.”
Oliver, a pupil at Elfed High School in Buckley, North Wales, says: “I enjoy doing all kinds of sports and love playing football at school. I’m always on my bike and really wanted to do this challenge with my Dad and Grandad to raise money for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. It’s my first time doing a charity bike ride and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Rachel Heslin is a Challenge Events Fundraiser for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. She says: “It’s so special to have three generations of the same family taking part in the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride to support our charity.
“Clatterbridge Cancer Charity exists to support our patients and their families and help fund research into new cancer treatments so the money David, Adam and Oliver raise will go to an amazing cause. With both David and Diana having been treated for cancer, they’ll know how important this money is and the difference it can make to our patients.”
To support David, Adam and Oliver in their fundraising, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamgilburt1
