Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 challenge being undertaken by Newbury man with terminal prostate cancer diagnosis
A Newbury man battling terminal prostate cancer is preparing for a Scottish cycling challenge, writes Martha White.
Kevin Hurley, a 60-year-old heating engineer from Speen, is in training for the Tour de 4, a charity ride being organised by Sir Chris Hoy, who himself has a terminal prostate cancer diagnoses.
Mr Hurley was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer four years ago and was given a two- to five-year life expectancy.
Since then, he said, he has a new outlook on life.
“You tend not to stress about the little things as much and you tend to be more patient with day-to-day frustrations and appreciate the relationships you have more,” he said.
The Tour de 4 takes place in Scotland on September 7.
He said he was inspired by his cycling hero Sir Chris and said he hopes to get to shake his hand at the event.
He is fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK, hoping to raise awareness and encourage men to go to the doctor and get checked.
He has maintained his love for cycling since his diagnosis and said: “I’m still fairly fit so that’s a positive thing. I do long-ish rides and I’m doing a local time trial on Monday for my club Newbury Velo.”
Mr Hurley said he has received overwhelming support from his wife Gillian, his friends, his cycling club and his work customers.
“I have an enormous amount of gratitude since my diagnosis,” he added. “I’ve got a tremendous amount of support. It’s made me realise how caring people can be.”
Throughout his journey, the two main things Mr Hurley said he has learnt are that he is very lucky to have the wife and friends that he has, and that he really does love life.
And his one piece of advice is: “If you get a cancer diagnosis it is not the end. You can still have a good life.
“When you get diagnosed it can be very isolating in some ways but that will pass. You can get on and have a good life.
“I try and enjoy my life as much as possible and try to do stuff for others as much as I can.”
If you’d like to donate to Mr Hurley’s fundraiser you can click here.
