Local man steps out for Hospiscare's Men's Walk despite cancer diagnosis

An Exeter man will step out for his local hospice's Men's Walk fundraising event this March, despite facing his own health challenges.

71-year-old George Pert was too unwell to take part in Hospiscare's annual Men's Walk event last year, making him more determined than ever to step out to support the hospice charity in March.

Since moving to Exeter, George has taken part in Men's Walk with his dog Ruaraidh. Last year, he planned to take part in the charity's 'Your Way' event, adapted due to the pandemic, but shortly before the walk, George was rushed to hospital: "I was diagnosed with enlarged benign prostate in March 2021. I had everything planned for my Men's Walk, with members of my local community sponsoring me to take part, but I just wasn't able to because of my health.

"I spent a lot of time in hospital last year and in August, following lots of tests, the doctors found that I had prostate cancer which had already spread to my bones. The oncology consultant told me it was incurable.

"I've been receiving treatment since then and my doctors have helped me manage my pain. When I got the newsletter inviting me to take part in Men's Walk, I knew I wanted to do it. Although I'm getting stronger, I wasn't sure if I would be able to walk the 8-mile Double Locks' route.

"After chatting with Hospiscare fundraiser Martin, I decided to do the 'Your Way' option. I plan to do small walks in the days leading up to the event and I hope to walk to Double Locks on 12 March to be part of the day itself and hopefully meet some of the other supporters on the way.

"I was really disappointed not to be part of Men's Walk last year. At Millbrook village, the retirement village where I live, we were able to select a charity of the year and the operator, Inspired Villages, matched the amount we raised. Last year, the residents chose Hospiscare which meant that with Inspired Village's match-funding, we raised £6,677.94. This year, they have pledged to make a donation when I complete the walk.

"Men's Walk is such a great idea. There is always such a good atmosphere on the day and I really want to make it to Double Locks to be a part of it."

Men's Walk returns on Saturday 12 March, sponsored by Wilkinson Grant, and there are two ways to take part. Like George, participants can choose the 'Your Way' option and set their own route in a location of their choice, or they can join the Hospiscare team and hundreds of supporters to walk the 8-mile route from Double Locks.

Whether walkers choose 'Your Way' or the Double Locks event, all of the Men's Walk favourites will be part of their day: a bespoke beer courtesy of Exeter Brewery, a pasty from Chunk of Devon, a Men's Walk t-shirt to wear on route and the promise of sitting down to watch Ireland vs England in the Six Nations rugby at the finish line.

As the local hospice charity for Exeter, Mid and East Devon, Hospiscare cares for over 2,500 people every year. With just 18% of the charity's funding coming from the NHS, and an income deficit of £1 million due to the pandemic, the hospice relies upon fundraising events like Men's Walk to provide its specialist end-of-life care at no cost to its patients and their families.

To sign up to Men's Walk 2022 and make a difference to local end-of-life care, visit www.hospiscare.co.uk/menswalk.