AFTER losing her husband to cancer in 2003, Joan Warwick has helped raise almost £100,000 for Darent Valley Hospital to fight the condition. Reporter MICHAEL PURTON found out more.

THOUSANDS of people will gather together on the green next to Darent Valley Hospital on July 12 for the fourth annual Stride 4 Life walk and fun day.

Since 2004 the event has raised more than £90,000 for the hospital’s Cancer Fighting Fund, and hopes to exceed £100,000 overall this year.

This fund has been spent on tools for diagnosing and treating cancer, including a ‘magic eye’ camera for spotting lung tumours.

Stride 4 Life started when John Warwick lost his battle with bowel cancer in April 2003, aged 67, and his wife Joan decided to do something in his memory.

The 67-year-old said: “The care and hope given to John during his time in Darent Valley was excellent, so, along with family and friends, I decided to thank the hospital.

“John's birthday was in July and we decided to make it a day of celebration by holding a sponsored walk and running stalls and entertainment, with all proceeds going to the hospital.

“Family and friends of John walked seven laps around the hospital - one for each month he spent in hospital before he died - and the fun day was opened by the release of 50 balloons in his memory.”

After the success of this day in July 2003, which raised around £5,000, Joan decided to make it an annual event named Stride 4 Life and set up a committee of seven volunteers to organise it.

Joan chairs this committee, and the Hayes Road in Stone resident, who has a son and two granddaughters, says it has two aims.

She said: “Our goals are to raise money to help people fighting cancer, and to put on a family day for everyone, especially those who wish to celebrate the life of a loved one, give thanks for a saved life or the birth of a child.”

Stride4Life comprises of two sponsored walks: a two-mile stroll and a five-mile hike, both around Darenth Country Park, followed by an afternoon of food, drink and entertainment.

Last year £13,537 was raised on the day, and Joan hopes even more will be raised this year to help the hospital’s cancer fighting fund buy items on its wish list.

This includes cryosurgery equipment, which treats prostate and kidney tumours by freezing them so all the cancerous cells die, and costs around £90,000.

After a recent donation of £30,000, from a donor who did not want to be named, the hospital is one third of the way towards buying the equipment, and Joan is doing all she can to help raise the rest.

As well as organising Stride 4 Life, she spends two days a week at the hospital collecting money for the fund.

Hospital fundraising manager Tracey Cummins praised Joan, saying “she is a wonderful woman, who brings a real passion and energy to fundraising and has done so much for Darent Valley”.

To help Joan and Darent Valley’s quest to save lives, go to stride4lifecff.co.uk or call the hospital fundraising department on 01322 428392.