Stepping out – and stepping up support for cancer research

Karen Bond, whose husband Steven is undergoing treatment for kidney cancer at Weston Park Hospital, signed up to Yorkshire Cancer Research’s Step Out for Yorkshire campaign.

“I wanted to do something because I feel really helpless at the moment — I wanted to have a goal and a purpose,” she said.

“I thought doing something for Yorkshire Cancer Research would be nice because they fund local research, then I saw the Step Out for Yorkshire campaign in May, and it was the perfect opportunity.”

Karen, of Kiveton Park, chose to run, walk and cycle 48 miles in May — picking the number to match Steven’s age — and their five-year-old son Edward joined her on his scooter.

The Bond family have been overwhelmed by support from friends and loved ones, who were keen to get involved themselves, from donating to arranging to join in with bike rides and walks.   

Karen said: “We’re very fortunate that we’ve got a very good network of family and friends and as soon as I said we were doing the challenge, we had an influx of support and donations.

“Edward knows that this will go towards medicine to help daddy, and he’s given a letter to all of his schoolfriends asking if they’ll sponsor him.”

The family initially set themselves a fundraising target of £150 but surpassed that to raise more than £1,000.