A Newcastle cyclist is gearing up to ride 3,500 miles across the United States in memory of his wife who died just four months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Keith Porritt, 61, will cycle from the west to the east coast in just two months to raise £50,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK. The charity ride will mark ten years since the tragic death of his wife Alanah Porritt in October 2012.
The former BBC journalist was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer shortly after feeling unwell and sadly died just four months later aged 60. Since then, Alanah's family, including husband Keith, and her brother-in-law, who is Madness singer, Suggs, have been fundraising for the charity.
READ MORE: Newcastle dating agency helps Geordies sick of apps like Tinder and Grindr to find love in real life
Keith said: “She was a very positive and generous person to whom people turned if they had a problem and needed support. She was always there for people.
"So, when she started feeling under-par, nobody thought anything about it because Alanah always soldiered on. It was only when she was diagnosed with stage four [cancer] that we realised that this has been creeping up for a while.”
Keith hopes his challenge will help to highlight how survival rates for pancreatic cancer remain shockingly low, with Pancreatic Cancer UK saying more than half of people diagnosed die within three months.
Keith said: “When I think about the lack of progress in improving pancreatic cancer survival rates in the decade since Alanah died, I am frustrated. I know that it is wrong, whenever I speak to people I get the message across that there has been no progress in 40 years and this is curious given the steps that are being made in other countries.
"Yet our funding remains relatively small, why is that? It needs to change."
Keith, along with three friends from Newcastle, will begin their challenge on July 9 in Astoria, Oregon. The trio, who call themselves “The Likely Lycra Lads”, will then cycle through Idaho, Wyoming, Minnesota, Wisconsin, up to Niagara Falls, into New York State and finally ending in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Keith has already raised more than £12,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK, with the funds going towards vital research into early diagnosis and more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer patients.
Alanah's brother-in-law Suggs said: “Keith is determined to do this extraordinary ride and raise money and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer UK.
"Alanah’s death was so sudden and affected us all and we aren’t the only ones that have been through this. This devastating disease affects thousands of families across the UK each year and we need to do everything we can to prevent this from continuing to happen.”
Diana Jupp CEO of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: "We are beyond grateful that Keith is supporting us by taking on such a gargantuan ride and we would like to wish him and his friends the very best of luck as he takes on this gruelling challenge. Pancreatic cancer has appallingly low survival statistics that have remained unchanged for 50 years.
"We are dedicated to transforming the future for everyone affected by the disease by supporting patients and their loved ones, and funding life-saving research."
To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/keith-porrittc2cusa2022
READ NEXT:
