Teacher battling terminal bowel cancer plans next adventure to fundraise for
charity
charity
A 38-year-old teacher from Hainault, Northeast London, has undertaken the task of
traversing the length of mainland England in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer
Support.
traversing the length of mainland England in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer
Support.
Nathaniel Dye after completing his 100 mile run from Harwich to London Bridge
Nathaniel Dye, who raised £29,000 through his JustGiving page by running the London Marathon 2024 while playing the trombone, is keen to set off on his next adventure with his colostomy bag in hand.
In March 2022, Nathaniel started
Nathaniel Dye, who raised £29,000 through his JustGiving page by running the London
Marathon 2024 while playing the trombone, is keen to set off on his next adventure with his
colostomy bag in hand.
In March 2022, Nathaniel started suffering with abdominal pains and a change in his bowel
habits, including pencil-thin stools streaked with blood. However, he did not realise the
sinister nature of these symptoms and continued teaching, as well as maintaining his
favourite pastimes, such as trombone playing and running.
But as his abdominal pains continued to worsen, he decided to visit his doctor in September
2022, before being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Despite being told he will unlikely make it past the five-year survival mark, Nathaniel has
thrown himself into helping others through fundraising.
Nathaniel said: “I may be dying but, for now, I choose to live and show the world through
words and deeds that it’s possible to live a full life post-diagnosis.”
So far, his heroic challenges have included a summer running up and down mountains in the
Alps, a 100-mile ultrarunning comeback and taking on the impressive feat of running this
year’s London Marathon whilst playing his green trombone.
The event was one of several events on his bucket list, with his next huge venture kicking off
on Saturday 13 th July. He plans to run and hike at least 20 miles per day, and up to 10 miles
during his weekly rest days.
He added: “Earlier this year, I promised myself that if I could get through that debilitating
three-month chemo cycle and earn myself another healthy summer, I’d take my shrunken
tumours on a very long walk: from Lands End to John O’Groats.
“As this is likely my last and only shot at this challenge, I’m planning on approaching it just
as I did the London Marathon: with joy, fun and raising money/awareness along the way.”
This challenge was on Nathaniel’s bucket list long before his cancer diagnosis. But Nathaniel
is aware that now, more than ever, it’s time to make that dream come true.
He said: “JOGLE has been on my bucket list for a long time. I’m a teacher, so long before
diagnosis I’d dreamed of running it over the school summer holidays.
“But now I’m faced with the very real possibility that this will be my last healthy summer and
I’m not exactly going to get much fitter, stronger or healthier any time soon. So now is the
time to go for it.
“After all, what’s the worst that can happen? It already has!”
Nathaniel has already raised a staggering £29,000 throughout his fundraising efforts so far
and has shown no signs of slowing down yet. He hopes that his openness, resilience and
determination will continue to both inspire and educate others across the world.
Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving says: “The news that
Nathaniel has been faced with is utterly devastating and something that no person should
ever have to hear.
“Through his continued positive attitude and courageous fundraising work for Macmillan
Cancer Support, Nathaniel is without doubt helping so many others, who like him, have been
sadly affected by cancer.
“From everyone at JustGiving, we wish Nathaniel the very best of luck in his fundraising
journey, and we cannot wait to see him cross the finish line at Land’s End.”
To donate to Nathaniel’s cause, please visit: https://justgiving.com/page/bowelcancerbucketlist