I’m taking part in Tour de 4 2026, the cycling event launched by Sir Chris Hoy following his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

The event has personal significance to me. Like Sir Chris, I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in my late forties, with no symptoms or warning signs.

After the shock of this devastating news, I decided to get to work, because I refuse to accept that life ends when cancer starts. My belief is that cancer is an ultra HD invitation to change, and that’s what I’m doing.

The journey has been hard (brutal at times) over the past year or so. I’ve made a lot of adjustments - some big, some small, all necessary.

This event is something of a quest for me. I’m no cyclist (far from it) - I just want to show other people who get diagnosed with cancer that you can retain a small amount of normality, because life really does change in every regard when you get diagnosed. I suffer with fatigue from treatment, so cycling 60+ KM with zero testosterone is gonna be savage, but I’ll smile, grimace and buzz off the event just like everyone else - we’re just people at the end of the day.

That said, the lack of a national screening program for this very prevalent cancer in requires a rethink from Gov.UK. Many lives are needlessly lost to this disease each year, patients are getting younger and the impact on families is horrific. I hope this event re-raises the profile of early screening within the NHS and central government. We can do much better as a country.

I’m raising money for Maggies who have helped me enormously throughout my treatment. They’ve reassembled me emotionally a couple of times during difficult spells (I fell into into Christie’s branch in bits as the enormity of everything came crashing home after months of trying to hold it together for everyone around me - a real low point. I will never forget the support I received that day. - thank you guys!). They are the coolest, most helpful and empathetic people around. If you’re able to donate or share, I’d be incredibly grateful. Every contribution helps provide vital support and care.

Many thanks for reading my story and your generosity. It means the world.

Marc