Man, 58, runs sixth London Marathon after being cleared of cancer

A 58-year-old man is running the London Marathon after recovering from cancer.

Charlie DeGale, 58, of Morris Gardens, Southfields, will be running his sixth consecutive London Marathon on April 21, in support of Children With Cancer UK.

He said: “I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2019 but, after a number of further checks, they found tumours in my lungs which were growing and spreading.

“I had about eight months of intense treatment, going through rounds of aggressive chemotherapy which shrunk the tumours.

“Then I had surgery similar to open heart surgery to remove the tumours that were left. Thankfully it was successful and I went into remission.”

Since his treatment, Mr DeGale has run the London Marathon each year, raising a total of about £20,000 for Children With Cancer UK.

He said: “When I was going through the treatment there were a lot of other patients on my ward and some haven’t made it.

“I’m running the marathon in their memory.

“I chose the children’s charity because after going through the treatment myself I can’t imagine how a child could do that.”

About 4,200 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK – about 10 children and young people every day.

Children With Cancer UK was set up in 1988 to fund research and initiatives which support children and their families through their cancer journey.

Mr DeGale said training has been especially hard for him this year.

He said: “The reason they found the cancer was because I went in for a hip replacement and my bloods were all over the place.

“After the treatment they replaced my left hip and told me eventually my right one would go.

“It will be a painful one but worth it.”

Mr DeGale said next year will be his last race due to the strain on his hip.

He said: “It’s been an incredible journey – next year I’ll be 60 and that’s a good year to end it, I think.

“I love the event – it’s amazing.

“You can see what it means to people –  it brings the whole of London together.

“The support you witness and experience is out of this world.”

So far Mr DeGale has raised £150, 15 per cent of his £1,000 goal. To donate click here. 

Pictured top: Charlie DeGale with his medal after last year’s marathon (Picture: Charlie DeGale)