Six half marathons in as many months for cancer charity

Tim Gilding, 32, is undertaking the challenge as he strives to raise awareness of the dangers of the sun and hopes to raise £100 for each of the runs.

He set himself the challenge after his grandfather died very quickly from the disease and other family members continue to undergo treatments to keep melanoma at bay.

Tim, who is a yacht designer, completed his first half marathon in Southampton on April 23 in 1:57:53 and now has five to go.

The next one is the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on May 28, followed by events in Chichester, Redhill and Bath, ending with the New Forest Marathon on September 10 in Brockenhurst.

Originally from New Zealand but now living in Milford-on-Sea – soon to move to Ringwood, Tim explained: “In my opinion skin cancer doesn’t receive enough publicity in the UK.

It is, however, quietly becoming more prevalent as we fly to hot destinations and bake ourselves to a burnt crisp, all for a “bit of colour”.

Coming from one of the worst places in the world for skin cancer and melanoma and with a family history rife with the disease, I personally believe this is a cause which deserves more recognition.”

Tim’s grandfather died within a short space of time after being diagnosed with melanoma and many other family members continue to have on-going treatments to stop melanoma developing as they are at risk.

Tim added: “The reason I decided to support this charity is my dad gets skin growths cut out every few months trying to avoid getting a melanoma.

“He has shown some early signs of melanoma and every three months he gets a check up.

“My dad lives in New Zealand so they keep a very close eye on these things out there.

“In the summer the burn time out there is just eight minutes so you need factor 70 or 100 – which you can’t even get in the UK.

My sister, who is a couple of years younger than me, is always getting pre-cancerous and benign growths cut out too.

“I have also had a few bits cut out.

“In New Zealand you see a lot of adverts about protecting yourself from burning but you see very little in the UK and the reason people get it is because they get sun burn.

“The first day of summer comes and people go to the common and have a barbecue and come back looking like a lobster – and as a result they get skin cancer.

Tim says undertaking six half marathons is challenging.

“I’m finding it quite tough.

“I did a full marathon in 2013 and swore I’d never run another one in my life.

“But I kept running to keep fit as I have an office job stuck behind a desk all day.”

Keen to warn people that the sun is just as dangerous in the UK, especially when people don’t even use sun protection he adds: “What do you think happens when you get sun burn?

“You are actually exposing yourself to what causes skin cancer in the first place.

“My grandfather’s skin cancer came on very quickly; he was only diagnosed at stage 4 and was told there was no hope.

“There was no chemotherapy process and his death was fairly swift which was shocking for my family. Nothing could be done.

“Things are moving on all the time due to these charities and cancer research and that’s why we need to support them.”

For more information on skin cancer and sun safety please visit britishskinfoundation.org.uk.

Show your support for Tim’s fundraising running challenge by donating at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GiveMeSomeSkin