Cancer sufferers' brave fights inspire swimmer (From Malvern Gazette)

Cancer sufferers' brave fights inspire swimmer

10:11am Thursday 1st February 2007

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The brave and good humoured fight put up by Hanley Swan cancer sufferers Justin Morton and Roy Phillips has inspired their friend to do an epic swimathon.

Stuart Clarke started swimmng in the new year to get fit and shed a few pounds, but as he was ploughing up and down the pool he decided he might as well do the lengths for chairty.

“The way they have both coped with their illnesses inspired me to raise as much money as I can,”

Stuart Clarke

Inspired by his friends' corageous battles he decided to do it in aid of Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation.

Justin is still undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic lymphoma- a very rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

"He's always so positive," said Mr Clarke.

"Even when he's in hospital having stuff pumped into him, nothing gets him down. It inspired me to do something."

Justin said he has no choice but to look on the bright side of things- a sentiment which his mates obviously share.

When he broke the news of his cancer to them, one even qeustioned if it meant he could get away with not buying him a Christmas present.

Mr Clarke's other friend, Roy Phillips, is now in remission from a brain tumour having previously beaten bowel cancer.

Mr Phillips said he owes his life to fund raisers like Mr Clarke.

"I always give to Cancer Research. I don't think I would be where I am now if it wasn't for them," he said,.

So far Mr Clarke has well over £2,000 for the 2,000 lengths which he hopes to complete, but he wants to collect more.

"The way they have both coped with their illnesses inspired me to raise as much money as I can," he said.

To sponsor Mr Clarke email him at stuart_clarke@yahoo.co.uk.

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