Cancer battle inspired friend

Scott Cranmer was inspired to take on the gruelling challenge in aid of the Leeds-based charity the Bone Cancer Research Trust when his friend Chris Chapman relapsed after a struggle with osteosarcoma, a form of primary bone cancer.

Chris, from Wakefield, sadly passed away aged 24 on June 18 - just a few weeks before the 140.6 mile event.

Scott, who lives in Wakefield and works in Leeds, said: “It was a very emotional day for me. I wanted to raise money for a very special charity based in Leeds, the Bone Cancer Research Trust, which is the leading charity dedicated to fighting primary bone cancer.

“My friend Chris had been fighting the disease for the second time round, after being given the five year all clear. Chris has been a huge inspiration in my life. Nothing was ever too much for him.

“He had the ultimate never-say-never attitude and that’s something I used to get through training. I’m so proud to have been awarded an additional medal in his honour. I’ve presented it to Chris’ family and it will be laid to rest with him.”

Scott, 30, was supported by local Yorkshire friends, colleagues and businesses throughout his training. He has raised more than £4,000 for the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

The charity was founded early in 2006 and since then has been instrumental in funding research and improving the primary bone cancer journey for patients and their families. Each year in the UK and Ireland around 600 new cases of primary bone cancer are diagnosed and around 300 people die from these cancers. The Bone Cancer Research Trust says there has been no improvement in primary bone cancer survival rates for more than 25 years.