Banff oil rig medic training to run London Marathon in memory of his father
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A Banff man is training on an oil rig in the North Sea to run the London Marathon in memory of his father, who died from a rare cancer called leiomyosarcoma.
Kris Cheyne (41), who lives in Ladysbridge near the town, is a medic who spends weeks at a time on an oil rig.
While offshore, he continues his training on a treadmill to get in shape for the event on Sunday, April 21, where he will be fundraising for Sarcoma UK.
Kris’ father, Stewart, died 10 years ago from leiomyosarcoma, which accounts for just 0.17 per cent of all cancers.
Although Kris has taken part in fundraisers before, this will be the first time he has run a full marathon.
He said: “I've always wanted to participate in the London Marathon, but my work rota hasn't aligned for me to be onshore in the last few years.
"2024 will be the 10th anniversary since my father’s death, and I would be honoured to mark this event by raising money again for Sarcoma UK as it is a charity so close to our hearts.”
Kris works for TAQA Bratani, an international energy and water company, that has offered to match his fundraising.
When he is onshore, he continues to regularly work as a NHS nurse in Aberdeen’s accident and emergency department where he has been a member of the team since 2008.
While offshore, he once saw a patient with a lump on his body and advised him to get it checked. It turned out to be sarcoma.
Sarcoma UK’s director of fundraising and communications Kerry Reeves-Kneip said: “Sarcoma UK is currently funding research into improving treatment for leiomyosarcoma, the rare cancer that claimed the life of Kris’ father.
"Kris’ efforts will help us fund more of the vital research needed for sarcoma, offer support to anyone affected by sarcoma and campaign for better treatments.”
Sarcomas are uncommon cancers that can affect any part of the body, on the inside or outside, including the muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissues. There are around 100 different sub-types of sarcoma cancer.
Sarcoma UK is a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer and campaigns for better treatments.
It is the only cancer charity in the UK focusing on all types of sarcoma. It is now one of the biggest funders of sarcoma research in the UK, having invested more than £5.5 million to 76 research projects to date.
Visit www.justgiving.com/page/krischeyne-london2024 to donate.
