Pontypool granddad with cancer risks his health to help others

John Eryl Parry, a 78-year-old great-grandfather from Pontypool, Torfaen, is undertaking an extraordinary coast-to-coast trek of 462 miles (743km) across the UK. Living with bladder and kidney cancer, John began his journey on 21 June from Lowestoft, Suffolk—the country’s most easterly point—and plans to finish at St David’s Head in Pembrokeshire on 11 August. The cancer was diagnosed following a serious fall from a ladder that led to numerous injuries and a hospital stay.

Despite the risks the challenge poses to his health and treatment, John has not informed his oncology team about his ambitious undertaking. Doctors warned him that the physical demands could alter his body and affect his cancer treatment plan, but John accepted those risks without hesitation. Reflecting on this, he said, “that’s fine,” showing a determined spirit. John notes that while he experiences aches and pains, he attributes some of that to his age rather than the challenge itself, maintaining a hopeful and positive outlook towards his condition and treatment.

John’s journey has gained widespread attention on social media, where he is known as Welsh Grandad. Encouraged by his granddaughter, he shares daily updates on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, regularly reminding viewers to “be kind to one another” and to face struggles “one step at a time… with love from grandad.” His story has resonated with tens of thousands of followers worldwide, many of whom have joined portions of his walk. For instance, Kyla Norrie, 32, from Cambridgeshire, joined John for eight days after seeing his social media posts and has become a close companion, even traveling to Pembrokeshire to walk with him for the final leg.

Through his fundraising efforts, John has surpassed his initial target of raising £5,000 for each of four cancer-related charities, including Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support. Now, he aims for an ambitious total of £75,000 to be split among the charities. “If I can get to £75,000 then I’ll be ecstatic, but I won’t stop there,” he said. John’s route follows the Via Beata pilgrimage path, dividing the challenge into manageable segments marked by way-stations. Supported by family and new friends, John remains driven by the desire to contribute to cancer support, saying: “I can’t cure cancer, but there’s got to be something I can do.”

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More