The Royal College of Pathologists is celebrating donating over £35,000 to Cancer Research UK this week after organising a cycling challenge to mark our Diamond Jubilee.

The brainchild of Professor Sarah Coupland, Vice President for Communications at the Royal College of Pathologists, the #RCPath60 Land’s End to John o’Groats Challenge saw 24 participants take part; participants included fellow pathologists, scientists, researchers, nurses and cancer patients who all had a passion for cycling. 

Calling on the expertise of cycling adventure company, Cycle Retreats, who organised the logistics of the challenge, the journey took them 1635km across the UK, from Land’s End in the southern tip of Cornwall to John o’Groats, the northern tip of Scotland, often in gruelling weather conditions.  

“We are hugely grateful to the Royal College of Pathologists for their incredible work raising money for our life-saving research, and that they chose this, their Diamond Jubilee year, to do so because of the special relationship between pathology and cancer research." Michelle Mitchel, Chief Executive, CRUK

The journey took 12 days to complete and, the participants raised £35,741 for life-saving research. President of the Royal College of Pathologists, Professor Mike Osborn, and organiser, Professor Sarah Coupland, were able to present their donation to Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive, Michelle Mitchell, personally this week.

President of The RCPath, Professor Mike Osborn said, 

"This exciting challenge once again allowed RCPath to work closely with our colleagues at CRUK, this time to raise money that will be directly used to help fight cancer in the patients we as pathologists serve. Collaborations like this help cement the close relationships between those involved in healthcare so we can all work together to improve cancer treatment and survival. A huge thank you to all those involved and to our organisers, Cycle Retreats and our sponsors, Sonic Healthcare, but most of all to the cyclists who did the ride."

Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “We are hugely grateful to the Royal College of Pathologists for their incredible work raising money for our life-saving research, and that they chose this, their Diamond Jubilee year, to do so because of the special relationship between pathology and cancer research.

“It’s wonderful to see how they have galvanised and brought together people from across the research community, as well as cancer survivors who benefit directly from research, into raising money for something they are all so passionate about. Well done to you all.”

Professor Sarah Coupland said: “Despite being a charity itself, the Royal College of Pathologists wanted to partner with Cancer Research UK, as part of its Diamond Jubilee celebrations this year, because the College understands its dedication in supporting fundamental cancer research and clinical trials, in attempts to improve cancer patient outcomes. 

Pathologists like me diagnose cancer every day, and have had family members and/or friends affected by it. I took part because I want to highlight what role pathologists have in making cancer diagnoses, and how closely pathologists and Cancer Researchers work together, in an effort to tackle cancer and discover new treatments. 

Without the support from Cancer Research UK, Cycle Retreats and, our sponsors, Sonic Healthcare, we would not have been able to pull this off. Thank you to you all.”

Chris Doyle, fundraising Relationship Manager for Cancer Research UK, said: “It has been fantastic to work with Sarah and the Royal College of Pathologists."