A JOURNALIST will bike, swim and run his way across 52 miles as part of a triathlon in memory of his uncle.
Gavin Caney will bike, swim and run his way across 52 miles as part of a charity triathlon in memory of his uncle Alan Rasberry, who died aged 52 last week.
Mr Caney, 25, of Friday Bridge, will be joined for the 14.7 mile run by his twin sister Kelly King, who lives in Terrington St Clement.
He decided to take on the challenge after he was forced to miss a fund-raising event organised by Mr Rasberry’s family and friends.
Mr Caney, formerly a reporter at the Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard, is a sports reporter for our sister title the Eastern Daily Press.
He said: “From the horrible moment that Alan was diagnosed, up until the moment he died, he was a true inspiration. I’ve written a lot about bravery and courage in my role as a sports journalist but now I know what those words truly mean.
“Alan was a beacon of strength and expressed a clear desire to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and create a legacy in his name. After missing a social gathering to raise money, I knew I had to do something.”
Mr Rasberry designed the route for the run which will go past family members’ homes and schools he attended before ending at the home he shared with wife Lindsey.
Mr Caney said: “He thought the triathlon was a great idea, especially the personalised run route, and while it’s terribly sad that he won’t be able to greet us when we finish we know he’s looking down on us with a smile.
“After he died, I thought I’d find it harder to motivate myself to continue with my training. But if anything it’s made me doubly determined to raise more money.”
Mr Rasberry was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer on May 13 and just four days later was given the news that there was nothing that could be done.
Mrs King, a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn, has extra motivation for the run as her husband Jake’s grandfather was also recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
She said: “We only decided to do it at the end of last month. Some people have said that hasn’t given us enough time to train for it, but it’s not about the time we do it in, it’s just about doing it.
“It’s a cause close to my heart, my family’s heart, my husband’s family’s heart and to all those many families that have been affected by cancer.
“Alan was really brave and I’ll always be really proud of him, Lindsey, and how his and their family come together to care for him.”
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