Friend’s cancer battle inspired charity effort (From Worcester News)

Doctor rides and rows ‘from Redditch to Paris’

11:30pm Monday 28th January 2013 in News

AN ANAESTHETIST turned athlete was inspired by a friend’s battle with cancer to raise cash for a chemotherapy suite.
Dr Chris Mowatt, a consultant anaesthetist, raised £2,133 after setting himself the challenge of cycling and rowing the distance from Redditch to Paris.
Donations came from colleagues across Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust which runs Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.
Dr Mowatt tackled more than 400 kilometres on cycling and rowing machines in the League of Friends coffee shop at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch on Christmas Eve.
He was supported by the sports and exercise science team at the University of Worcester, who helped with training and dietary advice before the event. He was also able to take advantage of the university’s 3D motion capture bike fit service.
He embarked on the challenge after being inspired by a friend and colleague who died in October after a battle with cancer.
Tanya Rees was a young, vibrant and highly respected member of the nursing team on the intensive therapy unit at the Alexandra.
In 2011 she was diagnosed with lung cancer and after a brave fight against the disease died three months ago.
The nursing staff on her unit, under the name ‘Tanya’s Girls’, also raised money for the cause by running half marathons for cancer charities and organising social events.
The money raised will go towards improvements for the Garden Suite, which treats chemotherapy patients.
Dr Mowatt said: “Having witnessed Tanya’s bravery and seen first-hand the fantastic, compassionate care offered by the oncology team at the Alexandra, myself and the team on ITU decided to raise some funds to support Tanya, her family and the Garden Suite.
“Thanks to the fantastic generosity of colleagues and members of the public we managed to raise over £2100, with £700 of this donated by passers-by on the day.”
Donations can still be made by visiting justgiving.com/redditchtoparis.