5K Your Way is a community-based cancer support group. It encourages people living with and beyond cancer, their families, friends, and those working in cancer services to walk, jog, run, cheer or volunteer at local parkrun events around the country.
But more volunteer ambassadors are urgently needed to relaunch and help at the 5K Your Way in Bolton. It takes place on the last Saturday of every month at the parkrun in Leverhulme Park.
Volunteers will need to attend from 8.30am, to help set up the meeting point and greet those taking part, until around 11am. They will walk or run with participants before enjoying a cuppa with the group.
Importance of exercise for cancer patients
Evidence overwhelmingly supports the view that exercise is important for cancer patients, for both for their physical and mental wellbeing.
Kelly Gordon, deputy manager at Bolton Macmillan Cancer Information & Support, said: “We are keen to see the 5k Your Way initiative relaunch in Bolton. It would be great to have something to direct our patients to.
“5K Your Way is looking for ambassadors to lead the group, be there on the last Saturday of every month and help promote the group too.
Ambassadors provide a friendly welcome and encourage people to complete the 5k how they want. Participants can go at their own pace and do the 5K in one go or over a few sessions.
Tony Collier, an ambassador at Wilmslow 5K Your Way and a regional champion, is supporting the Bolton group.
He explained: “I was diagnosed with advanced stage incurable prostate cancer in May 2017 and thought of exercise as a vital component of my cancer treatment regime.
“When I heard about 5K Your Way it was a no brainer for me to get involved. I founded the Wilmslow group which started in February 2019. Since then, we’ve supported lots of people impacted by cancer. We are blessed with the support of lots of health care professionals from GM Cancer.
“Most participants at Wilmslow 5K Your Way walk, but we do have some who run. Most importantly, everyone does it their way and then we head for coffee and breakfast and become a real support group. Amazingly, the last thing we talk about is cancer!”
How to get involved
Anyone is welcome to get in touch to find out more.
5k Your Way is particularly keen to hear from healthcare professionals or people who work in cancer services, who could promote the group to colleagues and patients.
For more information contact Bolton Macmillan Cancer Information & Support on 01204 462 442.
parkrun
Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
5k parkruns take place every Saturday morning at venues around the country.
Find out more about Bolton Macmillan Information and Support Service
