People living with and beyond cancer in the Putney area are being encouraged to move more as part of a community-based initiative called 5k Your Way run by the charity Move Against Cancer.
A new free 5K Your Way group meets at Fulham Palace Parkrun on the last Saturday of every month, combining fun, friendship and movement. Everyone is welcome, including people with cancer, their family, friends and health professionals. The next meet-up is on Saturday 30 May.
People are encouraged to do as much or as little as they wish, jog or walk the 5K parkrun distance or less, or cheer others on and meet for a coffee and chat afterwards. It is a relaxed and welcoming way for people to connect, support each other and move in a way that works for them.
Putney resident Soraya Madell, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, said joining the Fulham Palace 5K Your Way group has supported her recovery. She said: “Regular exercise has helped me enormously to cope with the side effects of treatment and feel better. Finding a friendly group of people via 5K Your Way who encourage me to walk or jog has been extremely beneficial, and I would urge anyone in a similar situation to join us.”
Wandsworth resident Charlie Degale, who was diagnosed with lung cancer eight years ago, said: “Exercise helped me get through cancer treatment so I’m passionate about supporting other people to get active. Cancer can be very isolating and affect your physical and mental health, so 5K Your Way is a great way to meet others going through a similar experience and do something for your health.”
There are more than 120 5K Your Way groups at designated parkruns across the UK and Ireland and on average 1,200 people attend an event each month. The Fulham Palace group is one of the newest.
* The Fulham Palace 5K Your Way group meets at 8.40am for the 9am parkrun outside The Tea House Café in Bishop’s Park, Fulham, on the last Saturday of every month. For more information email: fulhampalacegroup@5kyourway.org
More information on Move Against Cancer: https://www.moveagainstcancer.org/
