09
Apr
Harrogate man whose wife died 36 hours after leukaemia diagnosis set for gruelling fundraising challenge
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A Harrogate man whose wife died less than three days after being diagnosed with blood cancer is preparing for his latest fundraising challenge.
James Badger is set to cycle 500km on a tandem bike from Birstwith to London before taking part in the London Marathon.
The three-day journey, all of which will be done on a 42-year-old tandem bike, will begin on April 24 at St James’s Church in Birstwith, where his wife Philippa is buried.
She died just 36 hours after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in April 2022, leaving behind her husband and three children.
The disease currently has just a 10% survival rate.
Mr Badger said:
Losing Philippa so suddenly was devastating, and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia is a blood cancer that desperately needs more research. I hope this challenge not only raises funds but also awareness about the urgent need for better treatments.
The tandem is a 42-year-old bike, which has been resurrected and refurbished but it’s old-fashioned in style. The gears are quite difficult to use and very hard to balance. Running is also very new to me, but training has been going well. As well as the support I’ve been receiving, what keeps me going is that every pound donated brings us one step closer to making a real difference.
Mr Badger training on the tandem.
A director at Morrisons Supermarkets by day, Mr Badger will stop at different Morrisons stores en route to London, before arriving in the capital on April 26.
The following day, he will tackle the 26.2-mile run.
‘Tandem to Thames’ will be Mr Badger’s third fundraising challenge since his wife’s death.
Philippa Badger died within just 36 hours of being diagnosed with leukaemia, leaving behind her husband James and three young children.
Mr Badger has made it his mission to raise £300,000 for Blood Cancer UK, which will fund a research project into the condition.
Last year, he cycled the equivalent of Everest in Birstwith. The previous year, he and three friends cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats.
The money raised will support a York University project to test a new tool to understand the difference in the shape and structure of cancerous cells.
Understanding the different forms of the cells could unlock new ways to treat leukaemia, Blood Cancer UK said.
Matthew White, executive director of engagement at Blood Cancer UK, added:
Blood cancer is the UK’s third biggest cancer killer, yet it often doesn’t receive the same level of attention as other cancers.
James’ determination to turn grief into a positive force to fund critical research into blood cancer is truly inspiring. Thanks to fundraisers like him, we are getting closer towards kinder treatments and ultimately saving lives. But there is still much more to do, and support from the public is crucial in making this life-changing research possible.
You can donate to Mr Badger’s JustGiving page by clicking here.
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