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Churchgoing cancer patient runs for refugees

01 November 2024

Peter Hackett

Pete Bate

A CHURCHGOER and former employee of Lichfield diocese who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 incurable bowel cancer has run 60 miles, between chemotherapy treatments, to fund-raise for the charity Refugee Action.

The runner, Pete Bate, 50, from Burntwood, near Lichfield, said this week that he had been feeling more stable since his cancer treatments were paused in May, and so he decided to take part in Refugee Action’s Race for Refugees challenge in September. He has raised more than £1200.

“I’m off treatment at the moment, and wanted to do something positive, to show there is life beyond and outside of cancer,” he said. “I’ve been a keen runner for years, but am gradually rebuilding my fitness due to the draining effects of chemo.”

Mr Bate said that he had had positive responses and “good conversations” over his choice of charity. “I was deeply disturbed by the riots [News, 9 August] and felt helpless to do anything,” he said. “But I also didn’t want my silence and inaction to imply that I didn’t care about those whose lives were being disrupted and threatened by the rioters. Race for Refugees was a perfect opportunity to take some positive action for those without a voice.”

Mr Bate was the Lichfield diocesan communications director from 2016 until he stepped down this year owing to his treatment. He is a former reporter at the Wolverhampton Express and Star, and was previously a media-relations professional for Staffordshire Police. He is married to Lisa, with whom he has four children, aged 16 to 25.

He said: “I’ve been a Christian since childhood. This past 18 months has been the most interesting — and trying — stage of my faith journey so far. There have been many lows and highs. The prayers and support of our church family have held us together on this journey.”

In April 2023, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer after going to the doctor with what he had expected to be symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The cancer had spread to his spine. In May, he received the news that, after 12 months of treatment, his cancer had stabilised for the first time. After discussing his treatment with his oncologist, he decided to pause chemotherapy while his cancer was stable.

“I had started to lose feeling in my hands and feet, which is a common side effect, and it was getting worse. The doctors told me that they wanted me to stop the type of chemo I was on because otherwise I could be permanently disabled in my hands and feet. That would mean I wouldn’t be able to drive and do other things.”

News that the cancer had stabilised meant that Mr Bate was also unable to take part in clinical trials, which are reserved for people whose cancer is getting worse. “That was good news, but also a bit frustrating,” he said.

“It probably taken three months for me to recover from 12 months of chemo. Running has played an important part in that. The weird thing is, I feel pretty normal now I’m off chemo. It’s the chemo that makes me feel ill.”

He has slowly built up his fitness again during this time. “It’s rare to have this sort of cancer this young,” he said. “Life expectancy is not normally beyond a few years. It’s hard, but I’m thankful to be alive, and really appreciate all the support I have.”

Read about his cancer journey at petesprogress.com, or donate on his JustGiving page.

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