Fundraiser's gone the extra miles for cancer centre after dad's diagnosis

PICTURED: Ken Goddard held a bake sale in front of Swansea Bay Health Charity's hub in Singleton Hospital.

A daring fundraiser’s charity challenge inspired by his father’s cancer diagnosis surpassed its famous five target by reaching a magnificent seven.

Ken Goddard originally aimed to raise £5,000 for the South West Wales Cancer Centre (SWWCC), based in Singleton Hospital, which cared for his aunty, Lucy Powell, who was diagnosed with breast and liver cancer.

Ken, nicknamed the Mad Welshman in Dragon Trunks, took on numerous challenges that saw him conquer his fears and overcome gruelling events.

His determination to raise awareness of the SWWCC’s work and hit his fundraising target took on extra significance in December when his dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and has since undergone treatment with the centre.

PICTURED: Ken conquered his fear of heights at the world’s tallest abseiling tower in Northampton.

The SWWCC is run by Swansea Bay University Health Board and provides a range of lifesaving NHS treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

It celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year and a fundraising appeal has been launched by Swansea Bay Health Charity, the health board’s official charity, to commemorate the landmark.

The appeal, Going the Extra Mile for Cancer, will support the thousands of patients from the Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda areas who are cared for there every year, as well as relatives and staff.

Ken’s fundraising efforts came to a conclusion at the recent Tenby Ironman, with his total surpassing £7,600.

Ken said: “The challenge of raising money for the SWWCC started as a thank you for everything that was done for my aunty and our family throughout her cancer journey, and for everyone affected by cancer.

“My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December, which we later found out had spread to his bones. This was a massive shock and turned our lives upside down, impacting us greatly as a family.

“Dad has always been our hero and to see him suffer has been horrible. He has been the driving force of every step of my journey. It has been his journey with me.

PICTURED: Ken completed a ski down a slope in Bulgaria wearing just his Welsh dragon pants.

“Everything I have done is for him, to keep him strong, to keep him fighting. Every day with him is a blessing and hopefully he can keep fighting to be here.”

Ken’s fundraising efforts have seen him conquer his fear of heights by abseiling 418 feet down Northampton’s National Lift Tower - the world’s tallest abseiling tower - and skydiving from 10,000 feet.

There have been whacky events involving skiing in Bulgaria and selling cakes in Singleton Hospital wearing his Welsh dragon pants.

He has also completed a one-hour CrossFit exercise followed by 10 minutes in a two-degree tub alongside Welsh stunt performer and celebrity chef Matt Pritchard and cancer survivor Caris Bowen.

Physically demanding challenges came via completing his first triathlon, cycling the 50-mile Jiffy’s Cancer 50 Challenge followed by a 3,000m sea swim afterwards and a long-course weekend containing a 97-mile course made up of swimming, cycling and running.

His efforts have also seen Ken named as a Swansea Bay Health Charity ambassador.

Ken said: “Cancer patients go through so much both emotionally and physically, so to put myself through this was a very small sacrifice. I will do whatever it takes to ensure the great work that is done at the cancer centre in Singleton is known throughout Wales.

PICTURED: Another part of Ken's challenges included a skydive at Swansea Airport.

“But when things got tough in these challenges I just thought of my aunty and dad, along with the money being raised for the SWWCC and hope that will help staff give patients the care they need. It really drives me on.”

While Ken has successfully completed each task so far, his army of support has helped him stay on track and ensured he has been fully prepared – mentally and physically.

Ken said: “Since starting these challenges I am 25lbs lighter and my fitness levels are a lot higher. I also have the mentality to overcome anything as you can see from what’s been achieved with all my fears.

“My swim coach, Caris Bowen, is a cancer survivor who has instilled so much confidence in me and is one of my inspirations. She has kept my mind in check.

“That has been so important throughout many of the challenges as my fear of heights almost saw me pull out of the abseil at the last moment because of anxiety and panic.

“I’ve done a few cold plunges too, which you have to be mentally strong for, so each task has really benefited me in some aspect.

“During the long course weekend, I popped my Achilles on the first mile, but I managed to finish the whole marathon. My mental strength really came through to complete my first marathon, while I was determined to take my medals home to show dad.

PICTURED: Ken and his family after he completed the cycling section of the Long Course Weekend.

“But in the Tenby Ironman, I pulled my Achilles at mile 80 on the bike and I still pushed hard for the last 32 miles.

"Then there came a point where I couldn't run so I tried to walk. But after eight miles I was in agony and had to pull out which was heartbreaking as I had plenty of energy but just couldn’t run.

“My partner Laura Watson, who works as a clinical nurse specialist in the cancer centre, and my kids have been a huge support too.

“They’ve put up with all my mad events and the time I’ve had to take to train and prepare. Without their help and understanding it would have been far more difficult.”

You can still donate to Ken’s fundraising total via his JustGiving page by clicking on this link.

Follow this link to find out more about the Going the Extra Mile for Cancer appeal.