An 'adopted Geordie' who faced a shock cancer diagnosis last year has begun an epic 2,000 mile journey to Barcelona to thank the Newcastle medics who saved his life.
Lee Perkins, 49, is driving from Newcastle to Barcelona along with pal Neil Sullivan, to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. The pair set off from Newcastle United’s St James’ Park on Wednesday and were waved off by former Newcastle United player Charlie Woods.
Lee and Neil hope to arrive at the Nou Camp, home of Barcelona FC, on July 4. Their destination is a nod to charity founder Sir Bobby, who managed both clubs.
Lee, from Maften, was diagnosed with a tumour in his right kidney after suddenly becoming unwell in August last year. He underwent surgery to remove it at the Freeman Hospital and says the operation saved his life.
“Last August I went out for a walk and felt absolutely fine but, when I came home, I went to the toilet and was shocked to see a lot of blood," he said.
"I felt really terrible after that and after a couple of hours, I was unable to move and needed an ambulance. I was subsequently diagnosed with a tumour in my right kidney and was told the safest thing they could do would be to remove the whole kidney.
"It all came completely out of the blue and I know I’ve been very lucky that the cancer was discovered early. That operation at the Freeman Hospital in October saved my life.”
Lee, who works as a chief commercial officer at software provider Advanced, moved to the North East from Oxfordshire in 2011. He has already raised more than £40,000 from his fundraising challenge to say thank you for the care and treatment he received within the Northern Centre for Cancer Care and from the Freeman Hospital’s Urology team.
“We’re very fortunate to have such brilliant hospitals here in the North East," he said.
"The way they looked after my family and I was just amazing. I was determined to do something to say thank you for the treatment I received within Newcastle Hospitals as soon as I was able to, and by fundraising for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, I knew I was doing something that would directly benefit people in our region.
“I had such a warm welcome when I first moved here and it feels like my family and I have been adopted by the North East. And, as I’m from a sporting background, I’ve always admired Sir Bobby, so supporting the work of his charity seemed like a very natural choice.
“We only have three kidneys between us so we called our small team The Three Kidneys and we’ve been really touched by the support we’ve already received."
Sir Bobby Robson launched his foundation in 2008 and it has gone on to raise over £16m to help find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer, working within the NHS and in partnership with other leading charities and organisations.
To sponsor Lee, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lee-perkins5
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