Clive Shute has been a Roy’s Runner for eight years now after losing his dad, Roger, to lung cancer within just three months of diagnosis.
The 2018 London Marathon will be his fifth but his determination has never wavered. In fact, this year Clive has even further incentive after recently learning a friend in his running group has just been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer aged 38:
“After dad passed away, I looked for a lung cancer charity and was amazed how little there was out there. Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation was the only one so, naturally, I asked to join the Roy’s Runner team.
Since joining I’ve done events all over the country – from running over the top of Snowdon in Man v Mountain to marathons in Cornwall, Brighton and Paris as well as lots of silly mud and obstacle races – and I always wear my Roy’s Runner vest with pride. It’s always great to see a fellow Roy’s Runner at an event.
The support you receive from other runners and the charity itself is just incredible. I couldn’t run for anyone else now.
Clive is very proud to be a Roys Runner
There’s a real team spirit. I’ve made quite a few friends through the group and it’s fantastic to be able to message others runners. The support you receive from other runners and the charity itself is just incredible. I couldn’t run for anyone else now.
I was always extremely close to my dad. He will always be my hero. He was an incredible businessman, self-made from nothing. He worked hard and played hard but always put his family first.
I have so many amazing memories of him. We used to watch rugby together – him in his Wales top and me supporting England. I’ll also never forget the moment he held his first grandchild. He just had this look of pride and true love.
I have tears streaming down my face as I write this. It’s amazing how close that emotion is even after so long.
It’s this emotion that makes me want to keep supporting Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. I want people to be more aware of how prevalent lung cancer is and that you don’t need to have been a smoker for it to affect you.
This is even more apparent to me now; a friend of mine from my runner club was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer just three weeks ago. They are only 38. That’s all the incentive I need to get myself out training and raise money to try and this terrible disease.”
