On 17–18 October, a group of us will walk 100 km along the historic Ridgeway, following the Race to the Stones route, to raise money for the cancer treatment of our friend Jules Buczacki.

Jules is a husband and father of three who has spent the last 30 years serving in the British Army. In 2023, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive head and neck cancer which is now incurable, having spread to other parts of his body. After surgery, radiotherapy and clinical trials, there were no longer NHS treatments able to stop the progress of his cancer and he had a prognosis of months to live.

Earlier this year, however, Jules began treatment with Enhertu (T-DXd). The results so far have been hugely encouraging; for the first time since his diagnosis, his metastases have shrunk, and the improvement in his health and quality of life has been significant. The treatment has made it a realistic possible that Jules will outlive his prognosis.

The difficulty is that Enhertu is not available through the NHS for his particular cancer. His treatment has to be funded privately, at a cost of approximately £10,000 every three weeks. The generosity of family, friends and military charities has enabled Jules to receive the treatment so far. We want to help keep that treatment going.

As Jules puts it: “Beyond the clinical specifics, your generosity buys us time; time we would not have enjoyed as a family.”

So, we are taking on our own challenge: 100 km on foot over two days, from Lewknor to Avebury, on 17–18 October. For those of us walking, it will be a difficult couple of days. For Jules and his family, the stakes are rather greater.

If you would like to sponsor us, any contribution — large (for a cycle) or small — will go towards funding Jules's continuing treatment and helping give him more time with his family.

Thank You

A more detailed overview can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ONo_9n6C7mmucxaJwGgx9NHxkadFAAH/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=105831410100143407871&rtpof=true&sd=true