Duncan Pow Great South Run

Top soap star Duncan Pow is pulling on his running shoes and preparing to pound the pavements of Portsmouth at the BUPA Great South Run to raise money for CLIC Sargent – a cause close to the actor’s heart. The Charity is encouraging runners who have already secured their place at the event to join Duncan in the CLIC Sargent running team.

Duncan will be taking part in the 10 mile running event on Sunday 26 October to support the Charity which helped his family while his young cousin battled cancer.  His cousin was just two years old when he was first diagnosed with cancer in 1993 and was treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.  The family became the first to stay at CLIC Sargent’s Home from Home in Oxford, which offers free self-catering accommodation so families can stay together while a child is being treated for cancer.

Duncan explains, “My cousin had cancer just about all the way through his life. The impact it had on his parents, myself, and the extended family was massive.  Emotionally it was tough on all of us as there is nothing you can do, you just feel utterly helpless.”

Ten years after his cousin was first diagnosed with cancer the disease returned and he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).  Sadly Duncan’s cousin died in 2006, aged 14.

“With him being so young it also made the family very angry,” says Duncan. “Why, was a question that we asked an awful lot.  On the other hand it was very humbling to see and hear him laughing and telling jokes.  It made us all be very aware of just how little we have to moan about in life.  He is an inspiration to all of us both in life and after death.”

Duncan added: “That’s why I’m taking part in the Great South Run, I want to support CLIC Sargent in any way I can having seen first-hand the incredible work they do supporting families affected by childhood cancer.”

CLIC Sargent provides all-round care and support for children and young people with cancer, and their families.  The charity is hoping to raise more than £30,000 from the BUPA Great South Run to fund services like nurses, play specialists, social workers and the seven Homes from Home across the UK run by CLIC Sargent.

“It costs CLIC Sargent approximately £36 per night per family to provide ‘Homes from Home’ facilities and it can cost up to £16,000 to support a child and family through treatment and beyond,” explains Tamara Downes, Running Events Manager for CLIC Sargent.  “To continue to provide these vital services to families whose lives have been turned upside down by childhood cancer we rely on the funds raised at events like the BUPA Great South Run.”

“If you have already secured your place at the event and would like to join Duncan in the CLIC Sargent running team then please do get in touch.  Running as part of a charity team is really motivating and there’s a real sense of camaraderie. There will also be lots of CLIC Sargent supporters to cheer you on!”

CLIC Sargent runners will receive a free fundraising pack, running vest and an invitation to the charity’s post race reception where there will be well-deserved refreshments for the participants.

For more information, or to register to take your place alongside Duncan in CLIC Sargent’s running team for the BUPA Great South Run, call Kayley Waller at CLIC Sargent on: 0845 602 4770 or visit: www.clicsargent.org.uk/running. 

Notes to Editor:

• For any media enquiries please contact Ruth Bowen in the CLIC Sargent press office on: 0117 314 8617 or email: ruth.bowen@clicsargent.org.uk