- Motorsport personality, Campbell Roy, will tackle 537-mile hike to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer Research this summer.
- Scotland has one of the worst rates of late-stage detection of prostate cancer in the UK.
- The trek has been given superstar endorsement from Olympian Sir Chris Hoy.
Campbell Roy, the motorsport personality, has unveiled his Trek 500 challenge – an ambitious fundraiser for Prostate Cancer Research (PCR) – with support from six-time Olympic gold medal winner Sir Chris Hoy.
The epic challenge will see Campbell embark on 43 gruelling stages comprising the Scottish National Trail, from July to September, in a bid to raise £50,000 for the charity. His journey, unveiled at a launch event at the Falkirk Wheel on 28 May, received an endorsement from Sir Chris via a special video message.
“I’m really grateful to Campbell for coming up with this idea for a fundraising challenge and taking on this massive 537-mile trek along the Scottish national trail,” he said.
“There’s been a huge push to introduce screening, routine testing and to improve awareness of the importance of knowing your own personal risk of prostate cancer. By helping Trek 500 we can help raise funds to help in all these areas. I’ll certainly be keeping tabs on Campbell’s progress during this summer.”
Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the UK, and 1 in 8 men will receive a diagnosis in their lifetime. Within this context, Scotland also has one of the worst rates of late-stage detection of prostate cancer in the UK. Of those diagnosed with the disease in the country, 35% of men are already at Stage 4 when it is too late to be cured. This compares with just 12.5% in London who are diagnosed at Stage 4, 19% in Wales, and 17% in North-west England.
Campbell made his name as a navigator and friend of Jimmy McRae, father of the late rally superstar Colin McRae. Well known in motorsport circles, he met Sir Chris through their shared interest in motorsport and has attended several Asset Alliance Group sponsored Scottish Rally Championship meets.
He says of the task ahead: “It’s a journey that will test my endurance, resilience and determination but it is nothing compared to the challenge faced by those living with prostate cancer.”
The route
Campbell’s trek will start in Kirk Yeholm in the Borders before eventually reaching the top of Scotland at the challenge’s end at Cape Wrath in Sutherland. He hopes to be supported by members of the public along the stages, drawing on their support as he pushes himself to raise essential funds for the charity and raise awareness about the disease in Scotland.
You can donate directly to support Campbell’s challenge at justgiving.com/campaign/trek-500
“This walk is about so much more than mere miles. It’s about raising awareness, helping to provide funding for life-saving research and to support the many men and families affected by prostate cancer every year. All funds raised will go to support the vital work of PCR,” says Campbell.
Several businesses have already stepped forward as stage sponsors for Trek 500 including Bullet Express, Euro Commercials and Culina Group. The launch event included representatives from PCR, Prostate Scotland, Scottish Canals, Walking Scotland, the Scottish Rally Championship and the Association of Scottish Motorsport Clubs.
PCR continues to fight for national screening programmes for all UK men. The cost of late-stage diagnosis is enormous both emotionally and financially – for patients, families, employers and healthcare providers. It is estimated that treating advanced prostate cancer can exceed £127,000 per patient, compared to approximately £13,000 for early-stage diagnosis.
ENDS
Note to editors:
A website Trek500.org.uk will launch imminently containing the full route, timings and how people can show their support, through both donations and joining the walk. Cambell is being supported in his challenge by a team from Asset Alliance Group and PCR. He will be available for interviews to highlight the challenge itself but also raise awareness of the disease throughout.
For further information, please contact:
Dan Jones or Chris Druce at Garnett Keeler PR
Tel: 020 8647 4467
Email: dan.jones@garnettkeeler.com or chris.druce@garnettkeeler.com
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