Sheffield boxing legend Johnny Nelson has joined an important fundraising campaign to help fund life-saving cancer research. He is accompanying his friend Aaron Casserly-Stewart, who is carrying the Baton for Yorkshire as part of Yorkshire Cancer Research's We Walk for Yorkshire campaign.
We Walk for Yorkshire is the charity's annual walking fundraising event, which calls on people across the region to collectively walk 35,000 miles to raise funds for life-saving research. Participants carry the Baton for Yorkshire, similar to the Olympic torch relay, carrying it for someone affected by cancer and adding a message of hope before passing it on to the next bearer.
Johnny Nelson's Personal Connection
Speaking about the importance of the campaign, Johnny said: "It's about raising awareness. Unfortunately, the numbers for cancer are highest in our area. Why? We don't know. What is important is that we need to raise funds and awareness."
The cause strikes a chord with Johnny on many levels. He said: "It's important to me because Aaron (Casserly-Stewart) is a good friend of mine and he had prostate cancer. Aaron's illness made me and my friends think about this.
"Also, my dad died of prostate cancer. It made me think long and hard about the stigma. I realised how much it affected people close by. This is real, it's not always happening to somebody else. It could be your brother, father, cousin or your best mate. Let's get ourselves checked."
Breaking Down Stigma
Johnny wants to change the dismissive attitude some cultures have towards getting checked for signs of illness. He said: "Being a black man there is a massive stigma attached to it, and some will be like 'I ain't going'. But I said, let's do this. It's not always going to happen to someone else. One day, and the chances are high that it's going to be someone that you know, that's connected to you. It's very easy to ignore it, until it's on your doorstep."
The Baton Relay in Sheffield
We Walk for Yorkshire is brought to life through the Baton for Yorkshire relay, which makes its way through 35 locations across the region. Beginning in Hull, the campaign has made its way through Halifax and has now reached Sheffield. Aaron and Johnny received the baton in Sheffield's Peace Gardens on Monday (May 11) before setting off towards the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at the Olympic Legacy Park.
A crowd gathered to welcome them as they completed their leg of the relay. The location has particular significance for many undergoing treatment and those on the road to recovery. The recipient of the baton here is Simon Twigge, who has fought cancer himself and is now working towards recovery.
Simon said: "In preparation for my treatment and to also help me recuperate from my treatment, I actually came here and took part in a program that Yorkshire Cancer Research set up to prove how important exercise is for your rehabilitation."
Active Together is a research-backed cancer exercise treatment service funded by the charity. Following the Sheffield part of the fundraising campaign, We Walk for Yorkshire will continue its journey onwards to a final destination in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
For more information about the We Walk for Yorkshire campaign, visit the Yorkshire Cancer Research website. To see more information about the work Yorkshire Cancer Research does, visit their official site.
