A RETIRED teacher has inspired many by maintaining a positive outlook in his battle with cancer and completing 100 park runs.
Back in December, Roger Gwinnett was "absolutely shocked" to learn that he had been diagnosed with Bowel Cancer, aged 55, after dismissing some of the early warning signs and symptoms.
With Roger fortunately responding well to his radiotherapy treatment, just before covid interrupted many appointments, he was given further devastating news that his younger brother Dave had also been diagnosed with cancer in 2020.
Sadly, Dave's condition was much more aggressive and advanced and he was given just a few weeks to live following his diagnosis.
READ > Police name man charged with four counts of assault after early morning incident
Despite the awful news that befell the Gwinnett family, Roger tried to retain a positive outlook and kept up with the parkruns which he had started two years prior to his diagnosis.
Participating in the 5k park runs in St Helens, Warrington, and Leigh, the recently retired history teacher hit the milestone of completing his 100th park run last month.
Not only did the teacher complete a century of park runs, which is an achievement in itself, but it was also his 37th with cancer - with 26 runs completed with a colostomy bag stuck to his side.
After leaving a note with the St Helens parkrun organisers to inform them of his milestone, many parkrun participants commended Roger for his "inspiring" achievement and encouraged others to open up about their battle with cancer.
Roger said: "Since my diagnosis, I've held the idea that three things will help you survive cancer.
"One is trust in the science and treatment, which is the most important thing, and then there's luck, as I believe I've been very lucky to have caught my diagnosis relatively early and that I received my treatment before covid.
"Then there is your own physical health, which is why I've kept running. The parkruns are a wonderful thing that happens every week across the country, and it really helps me to feel like I've achieved something.
"I would describe myself as quite a reluctant but committed runner, so it's great to have completed the 100 park runs, and I thought I would leave a note to remind people of what they can do and the symptoms to look out for."
Currently in remission from cancer, Roger is planning to enjoy his retirement and healthy living with his wife Lindsey.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here