By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
MP Max Wilkinson is joining the Cheltenham Running Festival after being challenged by Health Minister Ashely Dalton to join fundraising efforts to fundraise for a modern cancer centre.
He says he will be battling his arthritic toes to haul himself round the 13-mile course at Cheltenham Racecourse on June 8.
Launched by Dr Charles Candish and Dr Sam Guglani, the Big Space Cancer Appeal is raising £17.5m for a new, modern cancer centre.
The new space will provide improved treatment, recovery and diagnosis spaces which are better suited to modern cancer care.
Cheltenham General Hospital is a designated regional cancer centre, but its infrastructure is outdated.
Max has supported the Big Space Cancer Appeal as a priority since becoming the spa town’s MP.
He regularly includes the appeal in his weekly newsletter and has raised the profile of the campaign with several Ministers.
“Dr Charles Candish and Dr Sam Guglani have done an incredible job with the Big Space Cancer Appeal. Cheltenham is a regional cancer centre, but like so much of the NHS its infrastructure is now outdated,” the MP said.
“The new centre will provide a space better suited to modern cancer treatment
“When I raised the Big Space Cancer Appeal with Ministers in Parliament, I was challenged to join the fundraising efforts myself. I’m pleased to step up and accept the challenge.
“This summer I’ll be overcoming my arthritic toes to run a half marathon during the Cheltenham Running Festival.
“Fixing our local NHS has been a day one priority for me since I was elected. I hope everyone can pull together in Cheltenham to support the Big Space Cancer Appeal and improve NHS services here in Cheltenham.
“I encourage everyone to get behind the fund and donate what they can in support of the Big Space Cancer Appeal.”
Richard Smith, Associate Director of Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Max for going the extra mile in support of The Big Space Cancer Appeal.
“Max, alongside many of his constituents, has chosen to take on a challenge to raise funds to help us transform local cancer care – which will mean so much to everyone whose lives will be touched by this new, state-of-the-art facility.
“Every step and every donation our supporters take brings us one step closer to a bigger, brighter home for cancer care for our community.
“We are so grateful to have Max championing this important cause!”
People wishing to show their support and donate can do so by clicking here.