'˜Inspiring' cancer patient fights pain to complete fundraising walk

A Northampton man has fought through the pain of cancer to complete a 70-mile walk to raise funds for charity.
Brett with Jon and Jon's father during their walk around the Isle of Wight.Brett with Jon and Jon's father during their walk around the Isle of Wight.
Brett with Jon and Jon's father during their walk around the Isle of Wight.

Jon (who asked the Chronicle to not use his surname), along with his father and best friend Brett Russell, have already raised almost £900 for Myeloma UK by walking around the Isle of Wight over three days.

Jon, a father-of-one who suffers from the bone marrow cancer myeloma, completed the challenge just before beginning radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which will be followed by stem cell treatment that will hopefully improve his quality of life.

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Brett, who has known Jon for 15 years, said: “It was a coastal walk, with lots of ups and downs and difficult terrain.

“Jon was really in a lot of pain, but he just put his head down and got on with it without complaining. He had a fantastic spirit - really inspirational.

“I never doubted his courage, resilience and downright stubborness, but I did not know if his body would be able to cope.”

Brett is taking on various challenges through the year to raise as much as he can for Myeloma UK - and Jon is aiming to join him as soon as he is able.

Brett’s next big fundraising event will be the Tough Guy assault course near Wolverhampton. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brettruss