Press release

Tuesday 7th May

Manchester 10K participant takes on his 16th run to inspire Afro-Caribbean men to seek early GP advice.

59-year-old Granville Campbell is taking part in The Great Manchester Run on Sunday 26th May to raise money for The Christie Charity and to encourage more Afro-Caribbean men to talk to their GPs about any medical issues they might have. ‘’it’s good to talk’’

Manchester born and bred, Granville was brought up in Old Trafford and now lives in Stretford. His older brother Eric was diagnosed with the very rare penile cancer in 2021 and was treated at The Christie hospital before he passed away last October.

“My brother could have, and would have, received an earlier diagnosis if he had been brave enough and encouraged to seek doctors’ advice at the first signs of any health-related issues,” said Granville, “he chose to suffer in silence over a long period of time. Unaware his symptoms at that time, were slowly escalating and felt unable to open up and seek medical advice at this time. He eventually made an appointment with the doctor. After examination he was diagnosed with a form of cancer that had taken hold so much, giving him less than 12 months to live.

“The Afro-Caribbean community, especially the men, do not speak of such things unless they are pushed into it, by a family member / loved one. I now know that Eric would still be here if he had spoken out and sought help in the early stages of his cancer diagnosis, where he was a patient at The Christie, until his passing. Therefore, taking part this year in the Great Manchester Run in support of The Christie Charity is in his memory and to highlight this message to ALL men, to feel empowered, help is out there to be sort, if we TALK.”

An annual event, this year’s Great Manchester Run will be Granville’s 16th one yet running was not his first love. Granville had always kept himself fit at the gym, playing basketball and football but in 2007 he found out he had a slipped disc, and was unable to continue all the gym work and sports that he’d previously enjoyed. So, he started running to keep fit, which coincided with starting a new job. His new employers annually entered a team into the Manchester 10K, so Granville joined the team and started preparation for his first ever run.

He says: “Initially I wanted to support a spinal support charity, due to my sporting injury, but also at this time my mother, was receiving some treatment at The Christie hospital for a brain tumour. It was then my love for the work The Christie was doing hit home to me, and I decided to give something back by fundraising.

“I was hearing quite a lot about the Manchester 10K, and after taking part in my first event, seeing so many fellow runners of all ages, shapes and sizes, running in support of their chosen charities, telling their individual stories for participating gave me the bug.”

Many of Granville’s friends do park runs most weeks, so he was encouraged to plan a set training route of approximately 7K around the streets of Stretford, which sets him up to complete his yearly 10K run.

“I am a massive Manchester City fan,” he enthused. (My street name amongst many is ‘Champ’).

Living just 10 mins away from the ‘arch enemy’ Manchester United, means I have many sporting friends on both sides who actively support my cause fundraising for The Christie Charity year after year, as they too have fond appreciation for the great work it carries out in our community each and every day.

“One of my biggest supporters are the Carryduff Man Utd Supporters Club from Northern Ireland. I got to know them over 15 years ago, as they would park up and have a drink pre and post-match at a hotel I did part time work for. They were never made aware I was a Man City fan until many years afterwards, they assumed I was like them, a United fan working at the hotel on match days. John White, their Club Secretary I know personally, and I have been ‘unofficially’ inducted as part of the Carryduff family, and accepted John’s invitation joining them in Belfast for their 20-year anniversary of the supporter’s club. Jo, the Branch Treasurer, yearly co-ordinates a collection amongst the club members, and personally delivers on the final home fixture each season, their gratefully received contribution towards my fundraising target, prior to taking in the 10K run.

“Many friends and family, colleagues and ex-colleagues all have a special affinity for The Christie and The Christie Charity, through their family members receiving treatment. From my own personal perspective, my late mother and older brother Eric, my younger brother Steve, who was diagnosed with myeloma cancer in 2021. Thankfully, he has been in remission for the last four years.

The personal satisfaction I receive each year is probably the main reason I keep plodding the streets fundraising for The Christie Charity. I have a special message to highlight this year ‘it’s good to talk’ even more so than before. If I can use my support for such a wonderful organisation as The Christie Charity to get the message out there to help others, then I'm all for it, for as long as able to do so.”

To support Granville’s JustGiving Page:

www.justgiving.com/page/granville-campbell-uniteinthecity

Quote from The Christie Charity:

To support the work of The Christie Charity, please go to Donate today (christie.nhs.uk) or ring 0161 446 3988.

The Christie Charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS is able to fund. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education, and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families.

ENDS