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Picture of Chris' brother Darren

Chris' brother Darren

Picture of Chris' brother Darren

Chris' brother Darren

Public and Uniformed Services tutors, Chris Mason and Kelvin Gardner, are taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK, in memory of Chris’ brother Darren, who sadly passed away due to the disease.

Many of Chris' family carry an inherited gene, identified as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), which causes multiple small growths in the colon and has a high chance of developing into cancer if left untreated. Just before Darren passed, his 11-year-old daughter was found to also carry the gene.

Chris said: "As a family, we would like to raise awareness and funds towards research into FAP, through the charity Bowel Cancer UK, so my brother’s daughter, along with other families who are also suffering from the disease, have the best chance of survival in the future."

With different fitness levels within the team, Chris said, “The challenge will not be an easy task, but we are all determined to complete it for Darren.”

The team, Darren's Champions, made up of Darren’s family and friends, will take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on the 16th of July. Chris and Kelvin have already begun their training by taking part in distance walks, including a recent hike up Snowdon, and visiting the College gym in the evenings and at lunchtime.

Kelvin said: "Chris has been my best friend and work colleague for 26 years. We started at St Helens College together as students in 1996 and then worked our way up to staff, he was best man at my wedding, and I want to support him and his family in any way that I can through this difficult time."

So far, the team have raised more than their combined target of £2,700, if you would like to support them and follow along with their training, visit their JustGiving page.

Collage of images of Chris and Kelvin training