My Tour De 4 Fundraiser to Fight Cancer

It’s been a full year since my family and I were faced with an uninvited guest entering our lives for the long haul. Initially, so many thoughts and feelings faced and many with tears and dread.

“We think you have cancer” was like someone taking a baseball bat to your legs. Nothing prepares you for these words and the resulting thoughts.

Anger, rage against the world and why cancer chose me. Despair, my worry for Lesley and my daughter Sophie’s future, consumed me and was initially such a dark moment in our life.

As a swim coach of many years, I also experienced the full-on emotion of my young swimmers and athletes of Broxburn Amateur Swimming Club and their tears along the way, when the news was openly shared.

I remember telling the swimmers, not to waste their time crying and being sad, as these were moments that they could have been happy and wouldn’t get that time back in their life’s.

Reflecting on these words to the swimmers, changed my outlook on its head moving forward. I wouldn’t accept the downward spiral on any terms.

I was diagnosed as stage 4 cancer and initially thought the worst. However, I learned stage 4 simply means it has moved from initial site to another part in your body. I have Melanoma (skin cancer) that chose not to be on my skin and decided to head to my pancreas.

Around the same time, Sir Chris Hoy was diagnosed with stage 4 and decided to do something positive for his own mindset and to raise awareness and support of people who have stage 4 cancer. I’m riding a 38-mile journey toward his vision.

So here comes my pitch to all my friends.

I have signed up to Maggie’s to raise some money for research and effectively helping people like me. If I’m honest, the money I raise is furthest from my mind. I’m doing this just because I can and want to.

My Oncologist and doctor suggested “some light walking” for exercise………..this didn’t quite cut it for me.

I’m currently training between mountain and road bikes and hitting the 20-mile mark at present. Aiming for 38 miles as this is distance for the challenge.

I want to thank all my family and friends, Broxburn ASC, XCITE West Lothian Leisure, Lloyds Banking Group and my friend and cycle training partner Iain Blackwood who have been toe-to-toe with amazing support for me, this last 12 months.

The Tour De 4 event is held on 7th September 2025. Please consider supporting me in raising funds for Maggie’s on this event and every penny would be so appreciated.

Richard