Sheffield cancer treatment specialist's epic 136 station charity challenge

An eminent professor and railway enthusiast is putting the wheels in motion for an epic charity challenge - in which he hopes to visit 136 train stations in a single day.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jul 2016, 12:37 BST
Updated 25th Jul 2016, 13:39 BST
Professor Barry Hancock OBE tests out his starting station in Sheffield.Professor Barry Hancock OBE tests out his starting station in Sheffield.
Professor Barry Hancock OBE tests out his starting station in Sheffield.

Emeritus Professor Barry Hancock OBE hopes to make it to each of the stations on the Northern Rail Network on August 13 - a feat which he believes has never been done before.

Prof Hancock, a former cancer treatment specialist at Sheffield’s Weston Park Hospital, is hoping to raise money for the hospital’s cancer charity, of which he is a trustee.

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He said he came up with the idea to do it as it combines his love of railways and lifelong passion for improving the lives of those fighting cancer.

He added: “I don’t think this is something which has been done before.

“So, more than anything I hope this helps increase awareness of the brilliant work which Weston Park Cancer Charity does in supporting patients being treated at Weston Park Hospital.”

And while he completing his epic journey, he need not worry about producing ticket after ticket for the conductor.

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He said: “Northern Rail has very kindly given me a free rail pass for the day which will help me travel from station to station and ultimately complete my challenge in good time.

“Over the years, the cancer charity, of which I am a long-standing trustee, has supported many vital projects at Weston Park Hospital, paving the way for pioneering new treatments and enhanced support systems for cancer patients in the region.”

He has so far raised just over £250 towards his £2000 target.

To sponsor Processor Hancock’s station-a-thon visit his JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Barry-Hancock4

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Prof Hancock started working as a doctor of oncology at Weston Park Hospital in the late 1980s and has since achieved many awards and merits for his dedicated work.

He is an expert in lymphoma, gestational trophoblastic disease, and biological therapy, has authored or edited eight books including Cancer Care in the Hospital and Cancer Care in the Community, and received the OBE for services to medicine in 2009.

More than 18,000 patients are currently under the care of Weston Park Hospital, which equates to over 150,000 individual patients visits each year.

Weston Park Cancer Charity is the only dedicated charity for the hospital and exists to support the cancer research and to improve the treatment and care for people living with cancer.

The charity is aiming to raise £2 million in 2016.

Related topics:SheffieldHospitalCommunity