Why I want to Dash for the Joshua Tree

Hi Readers, my name is Rik and I will be taking part in the 2022 Cheshire Dash in aid of the Joshua Tree; an amazing charity supporting families affected by childhood cancer. This is why I’m racing and what the Dash means to me..

In 2016, I was diagnosed with retroperitoneal sarcoma. Fortunately for me, surgery was possible and successful, and I returned to normal life. However, the disease metastasized, and in 2018, my prognosis became terminal. Further surgery, chemotherapy and the return of good fortune saw me blast through this fateful prediction to ensure I am still here today. In March of this year, it returned again. But so did lady luck, with surgery being a blessed option once again for me, which I took gratefully.

Being active throughout my life, these last six years have been tough, none more so than when my disease returned this year. I needed something to motivate my rehabilitation from major surgery for the third time. I needed something to focus on. I needed something to challenge me.

I was aware of the Cheshire Dash and the incredible charity, Transforming Lives, set up by Catriona and Mike Marshall. Even in good health, I was never brave or committed enough to take part. This year though was going to be different, for one significant reason. This isn’t a sob story but a tale of good fortune, luck and even miracles at times. Not everyone has been or will be as fortunate as me. That is why I am determined to get myself from intensive care, where I was 8 weeks ago, to riding 100 miles around beautiful Cheshire countryside for those less fortunate than me.

I know many of you will have similar stories, either directly or indirectly and hopefully lady luck has visited you too. If she has, why not do something incredible for those she didn’t get chance to see - Join me on 2nd July to raise as much money as possible for the amazing Joshua Tree.

Thanks for reading, Rik.