‘Wipe for Wan’ is a fundraiser for our good friend and colleague James (Wan) King after a sudden diagnosis of stage 2 bowel cancer.
A great bloke and a pleasure to work with, James tends to somehow make light of most situations despite having a serious lack of humour.
James is a committed military man with 19 years of service under his belt. It was on deployment to the Gulf on Royal Navy duties that he noticed blood in his stool. Doctors in the Gulf didn’t test for anything sinister so his diagnosis didn’t come until a few months later back in the UK. Devastating news for a 36 year old man with a young family, who is now left questioning his future. His family life, career, finances and social life have all been derailed.
Since the diagnosis James has undergone surgeries and now sports a colostomy bag under his shirt. He’s currently starting a trial treatment and is waiting for news following his next operation scheduled in Nov.
James does not want a great scene made or anyone to take pity, however he is concerned for his family/future. The physical demands of being a Navy diver heightens the likelihood of being medically discharged, leaving him in search of a new job - a fearful prospect on its own.
We can’t help ease his medical struggles. It is however possible to help James and his wife Becky provide a normal, happy life for their two children while navigating a journey of treatment and trials. A holiday, some dinners out… whatever gives them a well-deserved smile and memories to treasure.
His brothers of the RN Clearance Diving Branch (current and veterans) commit to a Walk to Wan wearing SABA diving sets in Dec 2025, covering circa 320km from DTXG Horsea Island in Portsmouth to Bravo Diving Unit 1 in Plymouth.
We ask for sponsorship, however great or small to simply allow James some time and space with family, ignoring the worry of day to day bills.
In doing this event we also hope to promote awareness for men of all ages, service or civilian, to check themselves on a regular basis and speak out if they have any concerns.