Kerby of Stroud, Gloucestershire, is set to walk over 100km around the Isle of Wight to raise money for the largest men’s health charity and the organisation she leads, Prostate Cancer UK. Alongside her trusty team ‘The Cheeserollers’ she will scale the highs and lows of the island’s picturesque coastal path as part of the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge on April 29-30.
With a career spent in the world of healthcare, the 53-year-old has dedicated the past eight years of her working life to the fight against cancer. In March 2022 she took on the role of CEO of Prostate Cancer UK, bringing her leadership and expertise to bear for the organisation in its simple ambition – to save and improve the lives of men affected by prostate cancer through funding research and supporting men and their families.
One in eight men will get prostate cancer in the UK, and this rises to one in four for Black men. With over 475,000 living with and after prostate cancer in the UK, and 12,000 men being lost to the disease each year, Laura and her team at Prostate Cancer UK work tirelessly to make a difference for men and those who love them.
Laura also has a close personal connection to the cause, as her own father was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. Whilst Laura had years of experience working with people affected by cancer, a diagnosis so close to home had a seismic impact on her life and career.
“Dad’s diagnosis was more profound than I ever imagined,” she said. “Whilst I had good knowledge regarding the treatment and care of a variety of cancers, seeing first-hand the emotional challenges my dad experienced as part of his treatment journey, particularly during Covid, were hard for me and for my family.
“Side effects of treatment, such as the incontinence some men like my dad experience, are difficult to deal with. Whilst our family were there to support him, not all men have support they can rely on, and that is why services like Prostate Cancer UK’s Specialist Nurses are so crucial to helping men live well.”
Laura and her father share a love of many things, including taking on charity fundraising challenges. In his younger years, Laura’s father took on the Badminton ‘People Chase’ Horseless Fun Run, a cross-country event where competitors imitate the classic steeple chase obstacles, scaling jumps and pits of water but with no horse to carry them. And while they both share a love of football, they are divided when it comes to team loyalty.
“My dad was born in London, but he lived for some time in Wolverhampton and so became a Wolves supporter,” Laura said.
“However, I went a different route and instead took after my beloved grandfather who was an avid West Ham United supporter and used to take me to Upton Park as a child. There is a fair amount of banter between Dad and I on match days, but it’s all in good spirits!”
The Isle of Wight challenge is the latest in a series of epic walks for Laura and ‘The Cheeserollers’. In 2021, the team took on the Thames Path challenge and walked 100km and in 2022 they took on a 50km hike in the Peak District. However, at 106km the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge will be the furthest Laura and the team have ever walked, and they are itching to get going.
“My passion for long distance walking started with the London Moonwalk in 2012,” Laura added.
“Since then, I have walked over 350km to raise money for various charities, and that does not include all the training!
“Walking long distances is a great way to keep fit, without the impact on your joints that running has, and it also keeps you outdoors and enables you to reconnect with nature.
“I’m looking forward to the sea views, costal climbs and hopefully blue skies of the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge and hearing the inspiring stories of some of the other 2,000 walkers who are taking on this epic challenge too.”
Sharing her walking wisdom, Laura had some advice for other taking on the challenge, or any other walking challenges this year for charity.
“These types of challenges are tough, but they are hugely fulfilling and the comradery you will experience on the walks is second to none,” she said.
“My top tips are to look after your feet, make sure you set a training programme for yourself, take sugar boosts like jelly babies along for the ride, stay hydrated and make sure you have a podcast or your favourite albums ready to play if you need an hour of distraction.
“I would also encourage you to share your fundraising pages far and wide before and after the event, with an update on why you are doing this. Human stories help us connect to one another, and your motivation will not only spur you on to complete the challenge, but it will also motivate others to give and support you too.”
To support Laura’s challenge, and to raise lifesaving funds for Prostate Cancer UK, donate to her challenge at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-kerby5.
To find out more about whether you or men close to you are at risk of the most common cancer in men, visit Prostate Cancer UK’s 30 second online risk checker today:https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker.
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